LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 43

LAND AND WATER.

Our correspondent informs us that rain and misty weather have interfered considerably with stalking operations around Lake Hawea and in the Hunter Valley. A,. heavy ten-pointer was shot by Mr M'Lennan in the Week block, and the Rev. Mr Oliver and his two sons, shooting over the Sawmill country, secured two good royals and a 14-pointer, the latter a very fine trophy. Messrs Bayly and Mitchell, shooting over Mount Fergusson and at the head of the Hunter Valley, have also returned with several heads, but foggy weather, which still continues, will hinder sportsmen from filling their licenses.

One of the first deer stalkers to return with the results of his trip to - the Rakaia Gorge is Mr Geo. Sutherland (says the Christehuroh Press), and he has secured one of the finest trophies that has been brought out from the herd there. It has no fewer than 24- points, which is a record for a red deer head for New Zealand. The previous record head for points was shot in the Wairarapa by Mr N. Grace, and it has 22 points. Mr Sutherland's head is a remarkably fine trophy, having probably a wider spread than any other shot in the Rakaia Gorge, and the horn is heavy and well grown. The head has not yet been measured. /

The deer shooting season, which opened in the Wellington district on the 2nd instant, gives promise of being very successful. If anything, tho herds are, according to reports received, too numerous, and "culling" operations may be found necessary later on.

The first deer-stalking party to return to Oamaru this year (says tho Mail) was that of Messrs J. C. Million, a. Tait, and Jonathan Mitchell. Mr Mitchell secured 14, 13, and 11-pointer heads, all good. Mr Tait secured a fine royal. A party on Mr Preston's property had good sport, it is said, but a party in the Temple met with very little success. Ashburton residents who visited the mouth of the Ashburton River (Hakatero) on the 9th, wore surprised to notice a stag, which had apparently travelled down the Rakaia River from the Gorge and then followed the coast, arriving at the mouth of the Ashburton River. The animal, instead of making across the river, took fright at the people viewing it from the huts and made straight opt to sea, and swam until it was lost to sight.