THE DEER PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1931, Page 9

THE DEER PROBLEM

DEPARTMENT’S WORK.

REDUCING THE NUMBERS.

Reference to the deer problem is made in the annual report of the Department of Internal Affairs, presented to Parliament this week. “Following the Christchurch conference,” says the report, “it was decided to remove protection on all deer, chamois, and thar; and action, in this direction was taken as the stalking seasons in the various acclimatisation districts expired. It was decided that protection should bo reimposed in certain areas for a period of two months, and stalking seasons were declared in portions of the Wellington, North Canterbury, Westland, Lakes District, and Southland Acclimatisation Districts on the understanding that the resultant revenue would be devoted to further deer destruction. The effect of the removal of protection, is that persons may, subject to the consent of propertyholders, destroy deer at any time. The department has made every endeavour to give prominence to the fact that the rights of property-holders must be respected. “The removal of protection is not in itself a solution of the deer problem, as it was known that in parts of the South Island where there had been no protection for many years, the animals were very numerous. It -was therefore decided to extend the payment of the tail bonus to the whole of the South Island, the bonus previously being payable only in portions of the Island. During the year the bonus was paid on 20,870 deer, an increase of 4447 as compared with the previous year. “To further assist persons who desired to undertake deer destraction as a private venture or property-holders wishing to destroy deer, arrangements were made to supply acclimatisation societies with ammunition from the Defence Department at a cheap rate (£5 a thousand), and the societies have distributed the ammunition either free or at cost price. The Department was provided with financial provision to organise special parties to undertake deer destruction.”