Forum Spot Burning

[Stocky]

So I've been thinking and figured I would raise my thoughts here as I know a few others share similar sentiments.

Hunting's getting more and more mainstream and thats a good thing the more people invested the better representation we have to keep it going. Also with the high numbers of animals around the place its never been easier to find animals and some more targeted female harvest needs to happen.

But I do always cringe when I see a TV show or Youtuber post up videos (usually edited to make the trip seem more exciting than it was) with an obvious reference to where it is. Its hard to avoid this when doing video and in some areas such as Fiordland where access is limited by the fact everyone knows the core blocks and its hard to draw, wilderness zones that aren't supposed to have Heli access, or some of the the West Coast areas that terrain limits those brave enough to slog it in, It honestly doesn't make much difference. In the easily accessible or areas that Heli's can fly too or areas with niche populations such as Fallow, Sheep, ETC it can really make a difference. After seeing about 30 plus trucks heading up the Wilberforce a few years after it showed on a TV show and often seeing screenshots posted on FB asking if anyone "knows this hut" Im accutely aware that social media and forums have on spot burning.

Well over the last few years I have really started to see a lot more spot specific posts on this forum that point people to exact areas (specific limited entry blocks, exact locations, etc). I appreciate the goodwill but cant help but remember "The internet is forever" and that a seemingly meaningless post/thread can lead to years of internet search's leading everyone to a certain spot that might not be your local but its likely someone elses.

Its all public land and we can do what we like but its so easy to find deer and other game with the simple advise of climb a hill and look. Or mentioning an area I often talk about "the molesworth", or "north Canterbury" or anywhere in the Sumner RHA but I really try not to say go to this basin as if your asking for spots it really doesn't matter currently and that might be someones go to spot they use. I've had a few areas I leave animals in start getting fly in pressure after appearing on youtube (its like 3.5 hours from the road end). I've found age class dropping back drastically in the last 2 years since as well as the pleasantries of used toilet paper on every ridge post the roar. Or i might PM someone some specific help to keep it from being public knowledge.

I think typically its a disservice to new hunters as learning where deer aren't or that you need to slow down, and finally where deer are is a huge part of why i love hunting. It wouldn't have the same reward if someone did it all for me. Hunting is usually somewhat of a challenge and we have so many advantages nowadays I personally dont really see it needing to be reduced to level of being told exactly where to go.

Anyway I know some American forums have banned mentioning specific units in the open boards and keeping area discussions at a higher level. Id be interested in peoples views on spot burning. I see its well meaning and im sure some people will get upset I even suggested its not the best thing ever but I'm genuinely interested in peoples veiws for or against it and their logic.

I basically see the only pros being that it might help control numbers by targetting areas but in practice I see Rec hunters take very few females and mostly effect male age class. And it helps make hunting easier which i personally think its pretty easy anyway.

The negatives I see are it condenses hunting which in turn exaggerated pressure in specific locations, if the spots hold small populations it can reduce numbers significantly, targetted pressure usually first leads to destruction of age class of males. It discourages figuring things out oneself which helps make translatable skills. It increases pressure on limit entry areas ie specific Ballot blocks which often go unused by those that dont know the block they drew.