DEER AND MOOSE

Southland Times, Issue 22012, 11 May 1933, Page 8

DEER AND MOOSE

THE 1932 SEASON. SOCIETY’S ANNUAL REPORT. In the annual report ot the Southland Acclimatization Society the following reference is made to the deer, wapiti and moose season of 1932: A season for moose-stalking was granted by the Minister, and two: blocks were offered for sale and three prospecting blocks. No. 2 block, in the Seaforth Valley, was taken by Mr K. W. Dalrymple, of Bulls, and L. Murrell, of Manapouri. At the time of writing this party is still in the country and no report is available. Mr E. J. Herrick, of Hastings, who had taken No. 2 prospecting block, was unable to make the trip at the last moment. From reports which come to hand from time to time, indications are that the moose herd is well established, but to what extent they have spread it is impossible to state. The society is most anxious to encourage prospecting by stalkers in the areas set out as prospecting blocks. A season for wapiti was again granted by the Minister, and five blocks and two prospecting blocks were offered. Three of the blocks and two of the prospecting blocks were taken up. Messrs Nitz Bros., of Masterton, stalked No. 4 in the North Arm, and have secured the best head of the season to date. This head is a particularly fine one: length 58in., spread 50in., and Bin. beam. Another twelve-pointer was secured, 55in length, 40Jin. spread. This party report that wapiti were plentiful and in good condition. Mr N. S. R. Adamson, an overseas visitor, reported that in the Middle Arm block wapiti were fairly plentiful, but he was unfortunate in not securing a good head. Messrs G.. Buchanan and party, who were in the prospecting block in the Worsley, report that the wapiti have not yet spread into this valley. Mr W. Roxburgh reports that the wapiti have not yet penetrated to any extent into the prospecting block in the South Arm. Indications are that the herd is thriving and the heads taken out should prove an inducement to local and overseas sportsmen to stalk in this country. A two months’ season was granted by the Minister for Red deer in our district, and a fair demand was made for blocks. The best head of the season, so far, has been taken from block No. 7 by Messrs R. and D. McDonald, Dipton, a 14-pointer, spread 43Jin. and length 38in. The society has been interested in the Eglinton Valley as a deer-stalking area, but as yet there is only a small herd in this country. A campaign of deer destruction was carried out by the society during this year, in the areas where the deer were reported to be proving a menace.