The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1929. DEER MENACE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1929. DEER MENACE.

From time to time a good deal is heard of the deer menace. It is upwards of eighty years since deer were introduced into the South Island, and this fact should be borne in mind when studying the increase. It has been gradual but only in the remote places where deer are undisturbed practically all the year round. But from the time that it was recognised the deer were likely to be a serious menace if not cnecked, or held in check, the increase must have been minimised very considerably. Culling new goes on systematically, largely under the direct on >f the Acclimatisation Societies. The culling is notes ary in itself for the benefit of the herd, if good heads are to be recovered. Some of the Societies cull as many as three' or four thousand head per annum. In addition there is the ordinary seasonal killing, and of course the indiscriminate and unlicensed killing which goes on where settlers are being annoyed by the trespass of the deer on their holdings. From returns which have Iren collected it has been ascertained that the societies cull on an average fully 15,000 head of deer per year. It may not be known generally that the best herd in quality in New Zealand, and one of the best of its kind in the world, it is said, is in South Westland in the Haast region. The Westland Acclimatisation Society controls this herd, and it lias been kept in check of late years by annual culling. Each year upwards of a thousand head are culled by the culling ranger. In addition to that there is the seasonal killing when there are about twenty rifles in the district, and as many men stalking for a period of two months. On top of that there is the indiscriminate shooting which goes on by the settlers, roadmen etc. Heavy toll is taken in consequence. The careful culling each year has been the contributing factor to the excellence of the herd and to its popularity with stalkers. Recently the local Society asked for a special report from its culling ranger as to the herd, and its relation to the reports made as to the menace of the deer. The South Westland herd is mainly in the high (lountry. The seasonal, shooting by large parties of stalkers, combined h.v the periodic/culling, assists materially to keep the herds bale iu the higher territory, and consequently away from tne heavier hush country. The report from the officer who is familiar with all parts of the Haast reg'on where the deer roam, is to the effect that the herds are not a menace to the country neither damaging the forest or threatening to over-run it. For over twenty years now deer have been well establislul in the south, and the ranger’s view is that the deer have done a measure of good rather than harm. Probably the answer to the position is that the regular culling year by year is the cause of the doer being held in cheek. It is a fact we believe that were it not for Otago and Canterbury deer finding their way into Westl'and, the present culling operations of the local Society would he more effective still. The mal-form-od and poor heads generally which are found at times in Westland are

said to be trespassers from the East Coast herds, where there is a greater range of country and the herds either have multiplied more quickly, or culling has not been as regular, nor as successful. The Westland herd e» oys a fame in the Old Land and sportsmen from that quarter are attracted specially to New Zealand to enj y a stalking season among good quality heads. Many fine trophies have been taken to England and abroad, and tne sport obtainable has been greatly praised through the illustrated papers at Home. The South Westland herd may he credited therefore as being something of an asset to the Dominion. As long as the culling is carried on on the present lines the herd is not likely to got out of hand, nor be a menace. Ii occupies high country of little common, i.il value and is well removed from settlement lands and the forest. The latter,, however, in any case is very remote from a possible market. On the whole, therefore, it cannot be considered the South Westland deer are at present a serious menace to the country.