THE DEER MENACE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 9

THE DEER MENACE

REMOVAL OF PROTECTION MINISTER STATES POSITION Frequent complaints have been made of the damage done to crops and pastures in the Dominion by deer and to the alarming increase in the numerical strength of the animals/ An interesting statement of the official attitude of the authorities in the matter was released for publication yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. P. A. de la Perrellc). “There has been a good deal of controversey,” said Mr. de la Perrelle, “regarding the best method of coping with the deer menace in the Dominion. A suggestion has been made from time to time that protection should be entirely removed. It is, however, questionable whether this in itself would have the effect desired. Cost of Destruction. “In certain districts in the South Island, it was, in 1923, considered desirable to remove protection from deer, and to pay a bonus for every deer destroyed, and the following is a summary of the amounts paid and the number of deer destroyed:— District. Amount paid Total No.

The Minister stated that the table he had quoted did not by any means account for the number of deer destroyed, as Acclimatisation Societies had also destroyed large numbers. In addition, property-owners in districts where protection had not been removed could obtain without any difficulty authority to kill the animals found on their property, and committing damage. Further authority had been given to the State Forest Service enabling that Department to destroy deer within State forests. More Intensive Culling. The Minister also touched on schemes for the. culling of deer. The question of whether protection should be removed in further districts or whether it would be more desirable to initiate an intensive culling by acclimatisation societies was. he said, recently carefully considered, and it was decided that at all events for the present arrangements would be made with societies to inaugurate a greater scheme than existed in the past for the culling of the animals. _ It was further agreed by acclimatisation societies to supply free ammunition to occupiers of property and others desiring to destroy deer. It was, the Minister stated, evident that if protection were entirely removed, the Government would have to be prepared to expend a very much larger sum of money in paying bonuses. It was just, questionable, he said, whether this expenditure would be justified at the present juncture, realising that there was a limited number of people who were qualified to undertake the destruction of the animals. In order to help in the destruction of deer it had been decided that there should be no limit to the number or sex of the deer that may be taken or killed by a deer stalker during the open season. Details of Destruction. The Department of Internal Affairs bad made arrangements with acclimatisation societies to supply periodical returns showing the number of deer killed in their respective districts. In addition, the Department kept a record of all deer in respect of which bonuses were paid. The Minister indicated that the position was being closely watched and the returns he had referred to would be analysed and the position would be further reviewed if it were found that the present action would not have the desired results. If as a result of the investigation it was thought desirable he would call a conference of interested parties with a view of further considering the matter.

in bonuses. £ s. d. deer destroyed. Marlborough .. 678 12 0 6,786 Nelson 1,258 12 0 12,586 Nth. Canterbury 319 0 0 3,190 Otago 849 18 0 8,499 Southland .... 721 12 0 7,216 Waitaki 458 2 0 4,581 Westland .... 275 10 0 2,755 Total .... £4,561 6 0 45,613