DEER STALKING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21033, 23 May 1930, Page 7

DEER STALKING.

THE SEASON IN SOUTHLAND. -FEW GOOD HEADS SECURED. , (Special xc Dailt Times.) INVERCARGILL, May 22. Now that the deer stalkers have put away their rifles until next year, a review of the season should prove, of interest. So far as the number of stalkers is concerned, the season has constituted a record. A larger area than usual was covered by the.many parties that were out, but it cannot be said that the number and quality of the heads obtained were in keeping with the number of stalkers. It is true that one or two fine heads were brought out, but a great sportsmen suffered disappointment. A lot of virgin country was stalked this year, and although it was anticipated that fine heads would" be obtained in these blocks, in most cases the deer were surprisingly scarce. , The results of Messrs 0. Clark and Sutton Gardner’s expedition into the Princess Mountains were eagerly awaited, for this fresh country was expected to yield a rich harvest of heads, and many were envious of these stalkers’ good fortune in drawing the block. As a result of the trip, however, it has to he concluded that these ranges contain comparatively few deer. Messrs W. Hamilton and C. Goodall, who . tried their luck in reputedly excellent country at the head of the Borland, also reported that the deer were far from plentiful. What is regarded as a super-head for Southland was obtained by Messrs Guthrie brothers and G. Scandrett in the ranges at the 'head of Monowai, north of Electric River. This head is a 12-pointer, which is reported to be over 40 inches in spread and 40 inches in length. This block may well prove a favourite in the future. Mr J. S. Anderson, a Melbourne sportsman, was delighted with the stalking provided at Hauroko. Mr lan Talbot’s party from Ohai was unfortunaA enough to get no good heads from Titiroa, which is regarded as very fine country. The deer were plentiful enough, but good heads were very scarce; . Taking all reports into consideration, it would appear that the deer are now i most numerous on the Billow Mountains, which lie between Monowai and Hauroko. ' A large number of parties tried their luck at Stewart Island, and on Easter Saturday there was a regular army of stalkers preparing to set out at the Freshwater River. The results, however, were disappointing, the deer evidently ‘having been subjected to a good deal of shooting from the islanders and tourist's and having retreated* to the dense bush. The best head at the island was obtained by Mr W. Cavanagh, of Pukemaori. He secured a nice 12pointer. It is evident that stalkers will soon have to look for fresh.fields, and it is probable that parts, of the Takitimos will be exploited, for there are reported to be plenty of deer- in this range. Deer are also increasing in the Five Rivers district, and Wakatipu may also become a favoured locality. Mr J. Woods tried his luck in the Routeburn this season and was rewarded: with; a beautifully-shaped 17-pointer. The wapiti season was not a Very good one,'only, one head being secured. Messrs Dalrymple and Olsen had no luck at To Anau, though they saw plenty of wapiti tracks, Mr Olsen later made a solo trip up the north arm and picked ' up the very fair head of a bull which had apparently died. George Sound was not stalked this season. At the Lugerburn, near the head of the north arm of Te Anau, Messrs Colquhonn brothers sighted only three wapiti. The Witz brothers were at Caswell -Sound, .and saw a fair number of young bulls and cows. They obtained one head. ' From the reports of the last two years it would seem that Caswell is the home of the wapiti just now. Mr £. J. Herricks again went after moose in . Dusky Sound. Though he spent a month there he. had no luck. Signs of moose were observed, but the animals could not be located. The dense bush and bad weather made matters very bad £6r the stalker.