TOO MANY DEER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19321, 7 May 1926, Page 15

TOO MANY DEER.

NORTH CANTERBURY HERD. NECESSITY OF CULLING. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] CHRISTCHURC'H. Thursday. Disappointment at the few efforts made to cull the deer herd in North Canterbury is expressed in the annual report of the Acclimatisation Society. It states that reports received from stalkers as they returned from the forest were to the effect tha.t • all blocks, with the exception of those in the Wilberforce district, were carrying far too many deer. The heads were very inferior, only two fair specimens being secured. An urgent appeal was made again this season to individual stalkers to cull as heavily as possible, both hinds and stags, sparing only those stags which gave promise of developing good heads. Although the same appeal was made last season support was given by only a few stalkers, who had the interest of the herd at heart. This was very disappointing, as it was only by the combined efforts of the stalkers themselves that the deer could ever again attain the standard and type of horn that they carried when at their best. It was more than probable that this would be the last season that red deer could be shot under license in the district, which was most unfortunate from stalkers' points of view. The station owners had done good work during this season, having shot' off many deer on flats and low country near their homesteads.