RAKAIA DEER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 114, 16 May 1931, Page 8

RAKAIA DEER

EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HERD Efforts to improve the quality of the Rakaia herd of deer are reported by the Deer Committee of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society in its annual statement. The committee, states the report, have made every endeavour during the past twelve months further to improve the quality of the Rakaia herd—heavy culling of stags and destruction of hinds has been carried out by our ranger. Approximately 1000 head have been shot by him and our stalkers accounted for 252 during the stalking season. Since 1926, approximately 10,000 head have been killed in our forest, but in spite of this heavy destruction the committee still feel that further reduction in numbers is advisable, ami it is their intention to engage two cullers to assist the ranger during the months of July, August, and September, these months being the most suitable on account of the heavy snow bringing the deer down from the high basins to the lower slopes, where they can more readily be dealt with. The committee arc working to reduce the numbers to that minimum which, whilst ensuring good stalking, will not bo a menace to the feed on the various leaseholds. Stalkers are now out on their blocks, and it is hoped that they will be successful in securing good heads The ranger reports having seen some excellent ones during the past three months.