Thread: Hawkes Bay Today wild deer article

I agree Barry, numbers get reduced and hunters get a piece of the action too. Sadly not unfortunately

Originally Posted by Davo

I agree Barry, numbers get reduced and hunters get a piece of the action too. Sadly not unfortunately

It’s not that simple


Who ensures the “hunters” are……….

responsible enough to be on private property
Culling animals properly and ethically
Protecting farm stock from harm
Protecting other farm/ neighbour assets
Protecting intellectual property
Insured against accidents and damages
Carrying out specific instructions
Persistent enough to actually cull every animal required
Culling within the required timeframe
Operating in a covert way
Maintaining confidentiality about property and operation locations
100% reliable and consistent in ALL weather conditions and hours of the clock

You quickly realise it’s hard work, that requires payment for services, services that require professionalism

Anyone doing this for a job good on you, well done, if your not - there’s a steep learning curve of which no farmer needs to suffer the collateral consequences

Originally Posted by Davo

I agree Barry, numbers get reduced and hunters get a piece of the action too. Sadly not unfortunately

These properties already have plenty of recreational hunters and the workers also hunt.
Thing is once a population reaches a certain amount shooting the odd deer simply isn't going to get on top of them.
Back in the '80s how many deer were in the southern Ruahines, bugger all. It has been hunted consistently and now look at the numbers. Most recreation hunters simply can not control a deer population.

Yes I agree TLB but can have a lot of fun trying some keen types out there even if its recreational

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

Yes I agree TLB but can have a lot of fun trying some keen types out there even if its recreational

Problem is what happens for example two of the properties in particular that I have done deer management on the deer have been so hunted, although still in high numbers, and have turned nearly completely nocturnal. Also run at the sound of a bike. This makes it difficult because getting good tallies is reliant on covering a lot of country. If the deer are very bike shy you have to walk. That's fine but it really does effect how much area you can cover in a night. The deer also head back into the bush as soon as shooting starts.
Other properties that have had little hunting pressure life is a lot easier and the results significantly better.