FOREST PESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20723, 17 November 1930, Page 11

FOREST PESTS.

EXPERIENCE OF TRAPPERS. DECREASE IN THE SOUTH. MORE NATIVE BIRDS SEEN. In order to obtain as accurate information as possible as to the number of vermin killed by the opossum trappers, and also the number of native and other birds taken by the traopers, the Wellington Acclimatisation Society arranged that each trapper when applying for his licence this season should be handed a diary and be requested to complete it and forward it to the secretary of the society. The diary was so arranged that the trapper could make a note each day of what was caught in his traps. There was a column for opossums, rats, stoats and weasels, cats, native birds, other birds, ferrets and other animals.

The 97 trappers who returned the diaries reported that they had killed 5361 opossums, 1793 rats, 153 stoats, 17 cats, 6 native birds, 172 blackbirds and thrushes, but principally blackbirds, 12 ferrets and 63 hedgehogs. The total number of trappers was 531. At a meeting of the society last week the chairman, Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp, said the total number of skins taken, he had been informed, was approximately 39.000. It was fair to presume that the trappers who had not sent in returns would have caught approximately the same average of vermin and birds as those who sent in returns. Working the figures out on that basis he found that tho numbers killed by the 531 persons trapping would lie approximately as follows:—Stoats, 1123; native birds, 35; cals, 117; rats, 12,540; blackbirds and thrushes, but principally blackbirds, 1288; ferrets and weasels, 158; hedgehogs, 382. Native Birds Increasing. Tho trappers were also asked to state whether in their opinion the native birds were increasing, .said Mr. Tripp. The vast majority of those who sent in returns and referred to the native birds stated that the birds were undoubtedly increasing. The majority also made special mention that the pigeons were increasing, while some referred to the fact that the sparrow hawks had been seen killing the pigeons and other birds. In certain parts of the district the trappel's stated that the rats were decreasing, as -well as other vermin. In other parts of the district the rats seemed to be as plentiful as ever. Though many considered that the stoats and weasels were decreasing, some stated that in their part of the district, in their opinion, the stoats were increasing.

"From the reports received from the trappers in the last two years it would appear that nothing like the same number of vermin have been caught by the trappers this year as in the two previous years," said Mr. Tripp. "This year there were not so many trappers working as last, year, and, furthermore, as the price of skins was low and the opossums were getting scarce, a number of the trappers stopped trapping after a few weeks. Then again in the areas under the State Forest Service the trappers were not allowed to use bait and this would probably account for not quite'so many rats being taken. Apparent Decrease of Vermin.

"However, when talking to the trappers we find that there is a strong feeling that the number of vermin generally has much decreased. The estimate, which was a rough estimate, whidi the trappers gave us for the number of vermin killed for the season 1928 was approximately 32,000 rats and 2500 stoats, weasels and ferrets. In 1929 approximately 35.000 rats and about 4000 stoats, weasels and ferrets were taken."

The majority of the trappers recommended that there should be a close season for opossum next as the opossums were undoubtedly decreasing in numbers through being severely trapped. "As a trapper my winter occupation takes me well into the heart of the forests and it is five years since I first trapped in the Tararuas," wrote one man. "During this time the increase in bird-life has been most remarkable, especially as regards the kaka and smaller birds. A few years back one rarely heard the kaka, but this year I heard them on every ridge. Parrakeets were also seen in the valleys."