NO STALKING SEASON

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 171, 15 April 1933, Page 6

NO STALKING SEASON

Deer in Wellington Area COMPLAINT BY SOCIETY Ordinafily the deer-stalking season in the Wellington district would now be open? "When an inquiry’ was made yesterday’ as to the exact position it was ascertained that there was to be no stalking season this year at all, except in the Fiordlands district, away in the south-west of the South Island. This news has come as a complete surprise to many stalkers throughout New Zealand. Only a few years ago the” Government was handing out packages of ammunition to enable the deer to be culled out all the year round, due to the fact that in certain districts they had become more or less of a nuisance through their habit of breaking through and leaping fences and eating standing crops. This, it is stated, has never been the case in the Wellington acclimatisation district, where the herds have always been kept pretty well under control.

The unrestricted killing of the deer at any time and in any number has been drastically effective, for in certain parts of the country where the deer were numerous there is now not one to be found. It had one serious effect on the sport as far as the stalker was concerned. When the slaughter was continued right up to within a month of the opening of the stalking season it was found that the deer had become so disturbed with the constant shooting that they retreated back into the bush, making difficulties for the stalker.

Representations to that effect were made to the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. Consequent upon that, the secretary, Mr. E. IViffen, accompanied by the head ranger, waited upon the Internal Affairs Department, and, after explaining the situation from the stalker’s angle, asked that the unrestricted shooting should lie discontinued at least two months before the opening of the season. That, they pointed out. would give the deer time to settle down and get over their nervousness at the more or less continual shooting, and so bring them out into the open for the stalker.

Much to the surprise of the deputation, they were informed there and then that the Government bad decided, on the recommendation of the Economy Commission, that, there should be no stalking season this year, except in the remote Fiordlands. “Other than that notification, we have received nothing official from the department,” said Mr. Wiffen, “nor have I seen any Gazette notice ordering a close season for red deer.” Asked if the Government action were resented, Mr. Wiffen said that stalkers were up in arms all over the country. “After all, they and the societies did help the Government to cull the herds,” he continued, “and have brought them all within check. I think the stalkers are entitled to some consideration.” How is economy brought about by closing the season? Mr. Wiffen was ask-

“For the life of me I cannot answer that question,” replied the secretary, “I’ve tried to figure it out, but can’t. In this district the herds are well under control. If a man were out killing for meat I don’t think he could get more than two a day.”