Hunting deer on Stewart Island can be hazardous

Press, 30 September 1983, Page 18

Hunting deer on Stewart Island can be hazardous

By

KEVIN J. WHITELAW, a Christchurch

hunter

Stewart Island is fast becoming the deerhunting “hot-spot” of New Zealand. In its windswept coastal belt of oleria, dense entangled vines, and tall crown ferns, thrive some of New Zealand’s top game animals — the whitetail or Virginia deer. Nine of these American deer were released at Port Pegasus in 1905. Excellent colonisers, the deer spread north and in a few years were solidly established south of Paterson Inlet and west across the island to Masons Bay.

Protection for the deer was removed in 1926 as a result of their

impact on the native vegetation. Controlled hunting was introduced by the Internal Affairs Department and vigorous campaigns are being continued by the Forest Service. The deer’s chances of survival are high. Stewart Island or Rakiura, is a rugged place with an area of more than 170,000 hectares and 760 kilometres of austere coastline. It survives as a fine example of a wilderness area. There is extensive bush with superb podocarp and hardwood forests including rimu, totara, and kamahi. Much of the island is mountainous. The interior has vast bog lands, manuka, and sub-alpine scrub.

The whitetail deer rut in April and May. Each year trophy hunters travel to remote points on the island in quest of these elusive creatures which are often known as “grey ghosts” or “phantoms.” Quality bucks sporting handsome antlers do not come easy. Generally these highly sensitive animals are seen as a mere “flash” as the flag, or tail, disappears in a labyrinth of vine tunnels.

Whitetail deer are widespread over much of the island; the highest densities are below Port Adventure in the south-east. The Forest Service is encouraging recreational and commercial hunting. Commercial hunters, on the ground and in the air, have had only moderate success. Sporting hunters do better. Land tenure on the island is complex. The Forest Service issues permits to hunt over vast blocks of bush. Some areas are serviced by huts and tracks. Superior hunting country is located on Maori reserve land. Permits to enter these south-east coastal districts are obtained from Rakiura Landowners Incorporated. Because the country is isolated and inhospitable, most hunting blocks are difficult to reach. Entry by boat at a suitable cove is common. A few hunters charter float planes or helicopters. Most travel to Oban from Bluff on the Government ferry Wairua. Island-based launch operators provide charters to remote blocks. Visiting hunters provide an income for several Stewart Islanders who have turned from fishing to charter work. Hunters also provide business fdr the island’s only town at Oban.

Recognised shooting areas seldom have huts. Normally, a base camp is a skeletal framework over which a tent and fly can be draped. Base camps are close to the coast to reduce packing of equipment. The Forest Service and Maori landowners demand rigid tidiness around camp sites. Litter and refuse must be buried or removed. Standing trees must not be cut down, and only previously established base areas are used as camp sites!* Stewart Island is not a region for the novice hunter and a reasonable degree of fitness is essential. It is not uncommon to find older outdoors people included in hunting groups, these “oldies” being content to cook and maintain camp. Generally hunters book for two week’s hunting. A prudent party will hire a mountain radio as a vital link to Invercargill or Christchurch to exchange messages and receive weather forecasts. Since whitetail deer favour the coastal belt, excellent hunting is possible close to the base camps. Deer sighted or shot from the base are not unheard of. Away from camp, hunters must work their blocks in stealthy fashion, aided by a compass and map. Stewart Island bush country is never to be taken lightly. Block boundaries are natural borders — streams, ridges, or a beach. Shooters from adjoining areas sometimes stray by accident and meticulous rifle safety is needed.

The extremely cunning whitetail present a difficult quarry. Stalking is rewarding, . but mentally demanding. A kegn hunter will work according to air currents and

might progress no more than a dozen steps in an hour. A few hours of tense stalking a day is enough. Fresh 'signs of deer, a regular used game trail, or an attractive feed area, may suggest places to wait. Patient hunters need to be immune to the incessant swarms of sandflies.

In winter, the whitetail feed actively. Summer restricts thenmovements to early morning and evening. In the bush they feed on grass, broad-leaf, five-finger, koromiko, and supplejack. Tidal regions and beaches also appeal to the deer as they enjoy picking at salt-washed kelp. Trophy bucks are remarkably

cunning animals and classic antlered heads are usually hard won. New Zealand trophies fall short of their American counterparts, but a neat whitetail trophy is a fine memento of the hunt.

Serious sports hunters confine their efforts to obtaining trophies, if the season is right. Other sportsmen are content to bag attractive skins and whitetail venison with its delighted flavour. A dedicated sportsman may complete a visit to the island without an opportunity to fire a shot. However, indiscriminate killing by hunters does occur and results in juvenile and in-calf does being slaughtered unnecessarily. As intense commerical pressure continues against deer in the mainland areas of New Zealand, Stewart Island is likely to lure keen stalkers in increasing numbers.