NORTH OTAGO DEER FOREST.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10761, 8 May 1911, Page 2

NORTH OTAGO DEER FOREST.

In connection with their recent visit of inspection to the North Otago deer forest, Messrs Sinclair, Duncan, and Swinard, reported to the Waitaki Acclimatisation Society as follows: — "During the trip from Omarama we had travelled through' splendid deer country, and had seen a good number of ducks and swans. Paradise ducks seemed more plentiful, and sportsmen whom we met could not understand why the paradise duck was to be protected this season when it was so plentiful. We had fine weather for the first four days, and, with the assistance of Mr T. Nye as guide, we were enabled to stalk over a large area of country, including the Canyon, Watson's Block, Ahuriri Gorge, and part of Birchwood. "We found the deer not plentiful in any part, though we managed to secure three heads, none of them very heavy. "The following are.some impressions arrived at after making the trip: "1-—Range of country very extensive. "2.—Society's hut a great convenience. "3. —Abundance of feed and cover, consisting of wide tussock flats and bush on the slopes. "4.—There is no evidence of overstocking ; in fact, we are of the opinion that the area of the country being so great it can carry a large number for many years yet. / "5. —We observed no signs of malformation amongst the herds we saw, but from what we learned from others it was in places where the deer were in greater numbers that malformation was most observable. "6.—We could get no information from stalkers as to the best time for culling operations; in fact, there was a diversity of opinion! as to whether the action of the Otago Society in culling to such a large extent is in the best_ interests of the herd. "7.—We are of opinion that the Ist 'of April is the best time for the season to be opened, for the following reasons: (1) Stalkers generally want it opened on that date; (2) they have to make their arrangements to leave the ground on a certain date, so run enough risk of getting a lot of rain and fog, during which time they can do nothing, without the further risk of being snowed in if the season is delayed; (3) the cost of getting on the ground is just the same, and if bad weather comes on stalkers have to remain in camp till the time fixed for their removal. . "B.—There is evidence of deterioration in the herd. Amongst a large number of heads shot this season were a good number not up to North Otago .mark, and one royal we shot was so light as to be not worth taking; but we do not see. how it could be otherwise, when stalkers are shooting the best they can get every season. If the farmer were to do the same amongst his flocks and herds what would be the result?"