DESTRUCTION OF DEER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20779, 23 January 1931, Page 12

DESTRUCTION OF DEER.

CAMPAIGN IN THE SOUTH. THE LAKE HAWEA AREA. A review of the deer-killing campaign undertaken under the supervision of the Department of Internal Affairs in the South Island has been given by the Hon. P. A. do la Perrelle. Operations commenced in tho Lake Hawea district on November 10, and during that month a total of 146 deer were killed and 142 skins were obtained.

The Minister said the men had to become accustomed to their rifles and the country, and get into tho necessary physical condition. The country over which operations were conducted bad been tho sceno of considerable shooting iccently. The weather was generally rough, with high winds, and frequent snowfalls kept the deer in the bush.

During December the campaign was carried out in remote country not previously touched by cullers, and already it was. apparent that the organisation was settling down. A number of additional men had been engaged to commence work, and tho campaign was to bo carried out on more extensive lines. " The operations," said Mr. do la Perrelle, " were in progress in Stewart Island, but it is too early to be in a position to publish any results. Stewart Island presents a difficult proposition, but 110 pains will be spared in an endeavour to clear it up." There have j been some complaints made regarding the ammunition used in the destruction of deer. Critics have stated that it was wrong for tho Government to use military ammunition on tho ground that any animals shot must die a lingering death. The complaints have been investigated by Mr. de la Perrelle. and in referring to the point he said that from reports received it was apparent that from the humane point of view tho ammunition used was as effective as possible.

"The officers state," said tho Minister, " that tho expanding effect of filed ammunition is that in very many cases the bullet does not pass right through the deer, which means that the whole velocity of tho bullet, 2400 feet per second, is arrested in the body of the deer, {lie effect of which is such a shocking blow that complete paralysis results. In ono day a member of the party engaged in deer destruction killed 36 deer with 67 shots, so it will be seen that when some misses are allowed for, the majority of tho doer must have been killed outright. " The rifles in use are like all modern .303 sporting rifles, fitted with high velocity barrels to fire mark VII ammunition, and it must •'be readily admitted that such lilies are much superior to tho now obsolete low velocity weapon which fired mark VI ammunition. The humane aspect of the deer destruction campaign was given very serious consideration when the details of the scheme were being worked out, and it is pleasing to find that the anticipated results aro being attained."