Has Deer Menace Been Exaggerated ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 73, 27 March 1936, Page 4

Has Deer Menace Been Exaggerated ?

SPORTSMEN SUGGEST REPORTS NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE

That much-canvassed question concerning the damage done to native bush by deer was considered at the annual meeting last night of the Palmerston North branch of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society. The suggestion was made-that reports from various quarters of deer ravages had been exaggerated,-and that "'they had contained an element a of "-propaganda on behalf of those who . were finding -profit from tho destruction of the game.

It was Mr C. Lane who. first raised the question. Recently, he said, he had made a stalking expedition in the south, in a locality where it was claimed a great number ,of - deer had been destroyed. He had found, however, that they were distinctly less numerous than had been claimed. Scrutiny also showed that the actual damage done to bush by deer was far less than they had been credited with. The elements wero doing far greater damage; hundreds, of trees were dying from natural causes for every two or three that had been rubbed by., a stag. Nor were they destroying the undergrowth freely as was so often alleged. Mr Lane declared that many of the statements against deer were inspired by those interested in their wholesale destruction.

Mr R. W. Priest, chairman of the branch, said he personally had taken the matter up before, but had been opposed by various sections of the community, including many armchair critics.

Dr. G. F. V. Anson, president of the Wellington society, who was present, said that body and the associated societies had consistently opposed the “open slather” policy- of regulating deer, holding that it would drive the animals to 'the Hess.: .accessible . areas, tvhere experienced cullers would not be able to get > them. < The position would be distinctly aggravated instead of improved. A questionnaire,to farmers three years ago - had- shown that ov.er; 90 per cent, disfavoured-promis-cuous killing i.of ,-d.eer, :by. amateurs, and had; desired - the .reintroduction of licensing, , .. Last year the department and the Bird Protection Society were .invited by -. t.he ; Wellington Acclimatisation Society, at; the expense bf the : : latter, to inspect the. supposed damage by deer. ; This-had been refused—tin extraordinary .position, ; . v ' ■ ;. Little quarrel could ' be ." had, however, with the attitude of the present Minister,-who favoured restriction of culling to skilled parties. If this were done, instead of having merely every fringe shot through, the sport of deerstalking was more likely to be available.; ' .

Mr A. Seed (Wellington) said the matter had been taken up only last week with Mr Parry, and while the representations had not been very favourably received-,-it was hoped to have the matter, more favourably treated, in the future. A'brief- close season had boen advocated- to the Minister, so that skilled' stalkers might' ’undertake the killing. So. Jong as irrcsponsibles were encouraged to go into the bush, infinitely more harm than good would be done, and the department’s own ends would bo frustrated. In the southern ■ districts, however, credit must be given to those experienced men who had brought out thousands of skins and found a market for them.

Ranger,T. Andrews said that since the license ..feo was abolished not more than 10 per cent, of the 300 experienced stalkers in the Wellington district had taken up a rifle, considering it too dangerous when there were so many inexperienced youths in the bush.

Mr Lane contended further that the goats were doing more damage than deer. Adverse reports from tramping parties as to damage by deer to flora also exerted undue influence.

Mr E. J. C. Wiffin said the. society had always maintained its opposition to the present system of destroying deer, yet only the other day the Minister had flatly declined a request for restricted killings, having, expressed his intention to wage war on the deer. No more could.be done at present.