DEER STALKING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 11 June 1924, Page 11 (Supplement)

DEER STALKING.

A WEEK ON THE HILLS. (By H.S.R.) The time is rapidly approaching when New Zealand will no longer be referred to as a young country. In fact residents of long standing who spent their early life in the Homelands and are now involved in active developments by public and private enterprise have considerable difficulty in adjusting their focus. They have seen the Colony in all its crudeness pursue a kaleidoscopic course until the present almost mature state has been reached. Certainly there are discrepancies, and anomalies are many; but the Dominion citizen if he is more casual in his business, and “breezier” in general bearing, has a mentality unmistakable in its origin. He runs true to ancestral type. Most pronounced is this in his love of sport. Sunny days and more of them give him an advantage over his kindred in the northern' clime/ In addition to natural benefits he has been well catered for in the matter of imported game. With the exception of the.rabbit (and can we restrain our intolerance^'his fecundity to class- him game ? ) no importation has more readily adapted itself, to the new environment than the red deer (cervus elapsus). Sixty years ago there, was not a stag in New Zealand; now we have yet to hear of a finer deer stalking country in the world, and the heads obtained would put to shame the choicest deer forests of the Scottish Highlands. In the Otago, Canterbury, Nelson and Wairarapa districts are well established ;herds,r“too - well established” the runholder tells us when the deer trespass on the lower country and eat the pasture so jealously guarded for his flocks. It is no exaggeration to state that the deer exist in countless thousands. The town dweller with his love for things municipalised marvels when told of hordes of game inhabiting the mountain fastnesses, the sunny peaks of which he sees and accepts without effort from the serenity of his city surroundings.

In 1861 a stag and two hinds were landed in Nelson province. They were the experiment, and the herd produced by these immigrants long since made the name of Lord Petre’s Park in Essex, from whence the stock was derived, better known in New Zealand than volumes of ancestral lore. The Otago stags of later importation have kept the original strain true. They reproduce characteristics of their Scottish forebears, length of horn and fine width and evepness of tine; ideals which made the Highland “Monarch of the Glen” a fit subject for the greatest of painter’s art. The Wairarapa herd is distinguished by a heavier hom growth and greater number of points. Windsor deer have produced here a strain, no mean progeny of a sturdy stock. Mild climate and abundance of food has given the New Zealand "Stag :: robustness of constitution and condition only to be obtained in the land of his fathers' by • hand feeding and careful 'selection. In 1862 the Prince Consort, who is reported to be the man who first made deer stalking a fashionable sport, arranged the forwarding of six deer to the Dominion. From these the Wairarapa herd had its beginning. Reports are continually appearing in the Press, of heads of fine measurement and weight taken in the Canterbury district. The herd there has its home at the head waters of the Rakaia, Waimakariri and Rangitata rivers. In 1896 a small consignment of deer was secured from Mr C. E. J. Lucas’s Warnham Court herd. Their increase has been most satisfactory. A limited number of licenses issued annually by the Acclimatisation Society controlling this district has produced heads of great size.

In Rowland Ward’s “Records of Big Game,” 1922 edition, many heads ar£¥e<idrded- from this district measuring well over forty inches both in length and spread and these heads are by no means exceptional, as the writer learnt from his own observation. For some seasons past I have been' 'fortunatein'- procuring a license and my experience is typical of the sport in New Zealand. An annual holiday is dedicated to the cause. With a congenial companion arrangements are made and secret hopes of securing a big head appear at last about to be realise,A poor, “sport” indeed is the stalker who does not anticipate beating all

other records when he sets out. FromTimaru an easy day’s run by car over excellent roads, put us in contact with Roderick, who provided means of transport by way of horses. Lean of build, sunburnt and active Roderick looks the part. An everlasting pipe in his mouth and weird abjurgations and terms of endearment for the horses together with pronounced views on the Government were the characteristics most apparent in our new acquaintance. We learnt of others afterwards not least of which is his cheery optimism and unfailing good humour. An eager inquiry as to the prospect of sport, and we receive the correct reply which makes us feel the deed half accomplished. After a night’s hospitality at Roderick’s comfortable homestead iye breakfast and are away at dawn. The horses carry their packs well and settle down to the work as though they knew a long day was before them. Then commences the thirty-mile tramp, not a yard of which would we have willingly missed. Rising in front and on either hand are snow-clad ranges coming sheer down to the two-mile-wide river bed, along which our course lies. A late autumn morning, the frost turned to moisture by the early rays of the sun and every tussock covered with glistening drops. The elevation above the sea, the dry gravelly soil of these high valleys and proximity of ice and snow peaks gave the air that invigorating never-to-be-forgotten alpine feeling. George and I took short cuts picking up the track at intervals, whilst Roderick, placidly smoking, follows the smoother going with his well laden team.. The commonest, form of wild life we met was the paradise duck—and

there were always some of the family in view—--beautiful birds, but with mournful, unmusical -Calls; on some of the shingle beaches great numbers of them were seen. A hare occasionally rose from under out feet, but. created small interest with our thoughts on bigger game. Towards mid-day we called at a pleasantly situated homestead and showed our appreciation of the host’s cooking. Reluctantly we left the shady verandah on Roderick’s suggestion that time was up. Brisk walking soon drove off that pleasant drowsy feeling and the fact that we could now discern the particular part of the mountains allotted to us by the Acclimatisation Society put renewed energy into covering the distance.

Roderick’s unerring instinct rapidly decided on a suitable camping ground, so we lost no time on arrival in pitching our tent for the night. The spot was well sheltered from winds by native bush, and close by, a roaring stream coming down the hillside made much ado in its haste to reach the river. We had a well earned meal and after yarning round the fire, turned in. The night passed somehow. We were all tired but the unusual sounds—soothing rather than alarming—are too novel for George and I and we slept fitfully with odd intervals of drowsy talk and hopes for a fine morning. Up betimes Roderick and his horses left for home with an understanding to return at a given date. A hasty settling of the camp and we set off;-to view the land, and as a preliminary ascended the steep face down which the stream tears and from which we got our water. This face joins

up-with-the-shoulder of a massive snow-clad peak. One and a half hour’s good going and we are sufficiently elevated to mane ouu ine general contour of the country. So far we had not seen a stag although traces were plentiful. I carefullj r examined all the near distant hillsides through the glasses and with the exception of a hind with fawn nothing in tne nature of game was visible. We were conversing in low tones as to the outlook generally when George with melodramatic intensity hissed m my ear: “What’s that?” What need to say! The roar of a stag, and close too, but out of sight. George sank down and made himself invisible whilst I crept to the top of the ridge and had a quiet peep over. There he was, a fine big-bodied stag standing motionless beside a great boulder; a little lower down several hinds were browsing on the snow grass. A •quick glance through the glasses showed the head to be but a nine-pointer. “What a shame, a handsome fellow.like that too.” said George, who had now joined me and was having his first near view of a stag in the wild. We carefully left the spot so as not to unnecessarily alarm the countryside and continued .to put in a laborious but interesting day climbing to various ■ vantage points.

Deer we saw in plenty and some very promising young stags, but the much-to-be-desired kept out of sight. As we made for camp late in the afternoon it became necessary to break our way through a patch of scrub at the edge of a deep ravine. No joke this New Zealand vegetation; it wants taking with judgment or much hard work is entailed in getting through

a tangle which usually develops into a twining growth of wire-like consistency. As v, e came out on a small clearing on the edge of the ravine, a great red brown body was seen below slowly making for the opposite face unaware of our proximity. A hasty but careful look through the indispensible glasses" disclosed a nice head, well worth further investigation. The sun was low so there was no time to spare. George who was not shooting, but merely with me for the experience, played ’possum whilst the writer manoeuvred through the scrub to get to the head ofi'the ravine; what breeze there was came up hill. On arriving at the far side I was on a bad face, the ground steep and broken, with snow grass in patches, which is reliable for foot or hand hold. The stag commenced grumbling to himself and guided by the sound I moved quickly, keeping behind cover. Another careful look from the shelter of a handy rock, there he was in all his majesty silhouetted clear against the evening sky and following him at a lower level a party of three hinds. The country here was all ridges covered with loose boulders, and the ridge the stag had reached was my last hope for the day, a few yards further on he would be out of sight. A careful estimate made the distance about 180 yards, not too nice conidering the failing light, but the stag obligingly waited, proudly surveying the valley below, but suddenly turned suspiciously, to view the place where George was possessing his soul in patience. I now got what I had been manoeuvring for, a good view of his head, it looked alright. I could make

out thirteen points and another doubtful one, no time was lost on the shot, firing for the centre of the shoulder. A convulsive bound from the stag and he pitched head over heels down the ridge and was pulled up by some rocks amongst which he sank without further movement. A distant cheer came from George, who has been a close observer and had never budged from his cover. Climbing to where the stag lay I was delighted to find not only the thirteen points shown by the glasses, but a good fourteenth as well. George joined me anxiously and we sat in judgment on the head, but our movements were hastened by the lateness of the hour. The head was rapidly secured, and we stumbled into camp with the light well gone, painfully aware of our bruised shins. A fire soon lit up the surroundings, the billy boiled and the frying pan turned out an appetising meal. Afterwards many pipes were smoked whilst the head was measured and viewed from every angle. Here are the measurements:— Length 43i inches, width 41 inches, points 14— although not in the record class a trophy to please any stalker.

The next morning a heavy fog hung low down excluding everything except in the nearest vicinity; it was useless going out. Advantage was taken of the enforced detention to make a few improvements in the camp and lay in a stock of firewood. About mid-day the fog lifted but it was then too late to proceed far, anxious as we were to be about our business. The camp was not without its compensations. Vv r e were still a little out of condition and the first two days of the trip left us a bit stiff. We

wandered out towards the river bed and lazed in the sunshine. Native pigeons, of which the bush around the camp contained a number, flew past at intervals an'd fascinated us with their aerial evolutions, tumbling and turning with all the abandon of the domestic species. , ’towards evening several lceas visited -the camp. George achieved fame by catching an over curious bird by the simple expedient of spreading a running string noose on the ground* “Cocky” could not resist the white handkerchief placed in the centre, and his curiosity proved fatal. He made a tasty stew some days later and our only regret was that we. had not secured some of his friends. The night was frosty and clear and we turned into our sleeping bags early and when George’s steady breathing showed him fast asleep, I still lay awake for some time thinking of previous excursions almost all pleasant; the flickering light from the fire, the sweet scented burning of the “broadleaf” logs brought many memories of good fellows with whom I had journed in these parts. Some of them now sleep their last sleep, far from these peaceful scenes whence they went at duty’s call. A cold boisterous morning and the air filled v/ith the roaring of several stags. We got away early and commenced a strenuous day. The first kill had spoiled us for anything but a really good head and several nice 10-pointers and one 11-pointer were closely investigated but left undisturbed. Back to camp at dark pleasantly tired and exceedingly hungry, we cured this last complaint by George’s masterly

handling of stag’s liver and kidney, not a dish to be sniffed at after ten hours wandering over country that is mostly “running up.” Several days passed without incident.' Four inches of snow, which disappeared off the flat in 24 hours, makes going on the hills hard, but we were rewarded for venturing out by securing a 12-pointer some miles from camp after a lengthy stalk. The head was a fairly good one with long tips, but. the bay tines were a little weak. It measured 40 inches each way with very heavy timber in the beam. The following day, wet and boisterous, passed quickly in camp. George established his supremacy in eribbage beyond all dispute, and the culinary department produced its best under the united efforts of the entire party. Further interesting days passed rapidly in exploring the remotest parts of our block. Deer were constantly seen and the number of fine young stags visible gave good promise for the future. The last day out gave a chance to fill my license, which permitted the shooting of three stags only. We. climbed a fine peak, one of the main Alps, and had a splendid view of the snow-clad mountains running for many miles north and south, and on our descent, in crossing a small glacier, heard the roaring of a stag. We had some trouble in finding him but ' eventually picked him up with the telescope when he was passing some .snow-covered boulders. Half-an hour’s carefuL manoeuvring and we had a close view which settled all doubts. A bad miss, under really good conditions nearly spoiled everything. The stag was off at a good pace, but paused one fatal moment to look back as he reached a bluff round which he would have been out of sight; a lucky shot by a disgusted and breathless hunter pulled the quarry up suddenly and in a fraction a further bullet gave him his .quietus. Scrambling over intervening rocks we anxiously surveyed the head and confirmed the 16 points which we had counted through the glasses. It was not so heavy as the 12-pointer, but was even and of. nice proportions! George sat on an adjoining; rock, lit his pipe and watched me take the head.

“Well,” he at length ejaculated, “I suppose you are satisfied now? Here am I just worked ~ up to fever pitch and determined to come stalking myself, when I remember that the sea-,! son is practically finished, and there will be no A more shooting for another year.” “Yes” I. replied “but you have the satisfaction of having .a been in this district through one season and - have come out champion crib player. You must not monopolise all the honours.” “That’s ; all right” George replied, “your’e welcome tothat next year ,but I’m after a 17-pointer.”

A long carry to camp and we were delighted, to see smoke ascending. Roderick had arrived a day early. He was obviously delighted at our “bag” evidently feeling responsible that’ his part of the country should to well for the : visitors. The evening passed pleasantly, we dined on the camp masterpiece—stag stew. Roderick’s comment on the production was whole-souled: “The man who put this together knows how to build a stoo.” What greater praise could be desired? Later on Roderick succumbs to the wiles of the crib' champion. We broke camp at daylight and our luck held good. A fine day, the ground frozen hard, we soon warmed up tramping along with the, horses, and at mid-day had our last camp on the road, the well seasoned billy coming into operation. Night found us at Roderick’s, and his wife, with many experiences of stalkers’ wants, had hot baths ready, followed by a substantial meal. She also added to our kindly memories ’ by smilingly accepting without protest Roder-. ick’s glowing description of the “stoo.”