Hunting area approved

Press, 27 May 1981, Page 2

Hunting area approved

The Minister of Forests (Mr V. S. Young) has approved the making of the Mount Thomas and Oxford State forests into a recreational hunting area.

The forests, which are within 80 km of Christchurch, are -already popular tramping, picnicing, and recreational areas. Their new status as recreational hunting areas means that commercial • hunting is prohibited in the forests, and so amateur .hiinters will have them to ■themselves. The Wild Animals Control Act. 197”. provides for the establishment of areas where the only means of animal control would be recreational hunting. Commercial hunting would only be permitted when animal populations reached a dangerously high level.

The Mount Thomas and Oxford State forests contain red deer, chamois, and wild Pig .

The hew recreational hunting area will comprise about 24,500 hectares, of which 2891 hectares is planted in exotic trees for both protection and production. The forests are mainly beech, with podocarps at lower levels.