RED DEER SHOOTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13997, 2 September 1907, Page 2

RED DEER SHOOTING.

STALKERS AND THE ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A misunderstanding appears to have arisen regarding a recent recommendation of the Otago Acclimatisation Society to the effect that tho opening of the season for red deer ■ should take place a fortnight later than hitherto.

This resolution was only intended to apply to Otago (and perhaps Oamaru), but some sportsmen considered that tho 60cioty wished the resolution to apply uniformly to tho whole colony, and on that account they naturally took exception to it. Tho Otago AccliiTiatisation Society's idea was that Otago and Oamaru would perhaps work together in tho matter, as the individual circumstances were identical. On his journey to Wellington Air R. Chisholm found a deputation from tho local Acclimatisation Society a-w'ai >g him at Oamaru. In regard to delaying the oponing of tho deer-shooting season, the deputation expressed itself at ono with tho Otago Acclimatisation Society, but entertained doubt as to whether doer-stalkers would agreo. to the shooting license'.'being increased - from £4- to £5, as proposed. At Christchurch Mr Chisholm was met by two well-known sportsmen, Messrs Hardv castle and Hay. Both . those gentlemen have the interest of deer-shooting and the proper preservation of the gamo at heart, and opinions' coming from such men of exporioiico naturally carry weight. Such discussion as could be conducted at a railway station showed Mr Chisholm that there wero two sides to tho question, on whiel( a great deal was to l>c said. On ope sido. were tho acclimatisation societies, whose , jidea 'was to prcservo the deer and keep ithe ibreed up to a high standard. On the other were tho stalkers, whoso object it was to got heads. Mr Chisholm explained that the Otago Society's reason.' for wishing to postpone tho opening of tho season was hccause it was thought inadvisable to have tho best stags killed off before the rutting season. The deputation said that in their district the country was rough and thickly timbered, so much so that it was impossible to locate deer unless the slags could bo beard roaring, which they only did during tho rutting season. •Mr Chisholm, in reply, said that the Otago Acclimatisation Society bad two objects in view. One was to maintain tho standard of the herds, and the other to afford every reasonable facility to sportsmen. Ho informed .Messrs Hardcastlo and Hay that if they would be good enough to put their view in writing he would bo glad to benefit by their wide experience. This, was done, and the written opinions were picked up by Mr Chisholm on his return journey. Mr Hay, it seemed, had misunderstood the purrtort of the recommendation, and pointed out ihe absurdity of having a uniform date for the opening Of the season in the face of varying climatic conditions, etc. This, of course, has 'been recognised by tho Otago Society all along. Mr Chisholm considers that there is a gcod deal to be said for tho opinions submitted by these gentlcinon, and that any suggestion made by such an authority should hot- be set aside without most careful consideration.

These opinions, with tho conclusions tho society lias eomo to concerning them, will »be published Inter.