Thread: Northland deer (again)

Just because I'm bored at work. This topic comes up every couple of years in the local media. $5.9 million to be spent. Opinions?

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-...EV4AIOTGOVFBY/

ideologue vandals gonna ideologue vandal. (and siphon off vast amounts of taxpayers money into their own pockets) - its what these people do.

What I want to know is who told them? Sika are well known to be in Russell state forest, however I read in the herald that DoC were going to borrow fancy night vision from the USA to get them all. Mustn't have panned out. I thought there weren't many reds up there anyway.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

What I want to know is who told them? Sika are well known to be in Russell state forest, however I read in the herald that DoC were going to borrow fancy night vision from the USA to get them all. Mustn't have panned out. I thought there weren't many reds up there anyway.

The sika cull is being undertaken by a well known pest contractor who has the most modern high tech gear and a helicopter.

Of all of the threats we face to our sport, keeping deer out of northland is probably the hardest one to argue against. Emotional responses wont cut it. And I see that NZDA are keeping out of the argument - good job.

Originally Posted by Tahr

The sika cull is being undertaken by a well known pest contractor who has the most modern high tech gear and a helicopter.

Of all of the threats we face to our sport, keeping deer out of northland is probably the hardest one to argue against. Emotional responses wont cut it. And I see that NZDA are keeping out of the argument - good job.

I wasn't saying that deer in northland are a good thing or that they shouldn't be culled. I should have been more specific, I was under the impression that the people who knew which bits of private land had a red deer population on them were not publicizing it for obvious reasons. It sure is a long drive to taupo for northlanders that's for sure

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

I wasn't saying that deer in northland are a good thing or that they shouldn't be culled. I should have been more specific, I was under the impression that the people who knew which bits of private land had a red deer population on them were not publicizing it for obvious reasons. It sure is a long drive to taupo for northlanders that's for sure

All good. I was only responding to the thermal bit in your post. The rest was as just a general observation.

Originally Posted by Tahr

keeping deer out of northland is probably the hardest one to argue against.

Why are we special?

because they think they can have Northland deer free - except for the fallow herd South head ( well protected by landowners )

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

because they think they can have Northland deer free - except for the fallow herd South head ( well protected by landowners )

Why does everyone think South Head is in Northland??? It's not!

There are a number of well protected sika herds on private land up here as well.

Originally Posted by MB

Why are we special?

I would like to hear the argument that says you aren't. Just about every bit of deer related legislation and district/regional plan says you are or should be.

The horse bolted every were else years ago and deer are now unmanaged or unmanageable. "They" aren't going to let that happen up your way.

Tahr is right powers that be see deer free Northland as feasible - with Auckland as a barrier - and Northland forests are seen as unique they are not the same composition as say lower North Island - many contain kauri - - good kiwi populations in areas - a number of iconic species including endemic carnivorous snails- and many tree species not seen south of Auckland - no sorry mate I think any idea of a shootable deer population up there is a pipe dream - in saying that there are more deer around up there than people think - very small populations and some likely not going anywhere - but they are there - but their number is up - the only thing saving them is many will not report where deer are - as hunters we have to face the fact that many twigs and tweeters don't like deer and don't value them like we do

Originally Posted by Tahr

The sika cull is being undertaken by a well known pest contractor who has the most modern high tech gear and a helicopter.

Of all of the threats we face to our sport, keeping deer out of northland is probably the hardest one to argue against. Emotional responses wont cut it. And I see that NZDA are keeping out of the argument - good job.

Any theories on how sika got established in Northland originally? Were sika being farmed up there?

Originally Posted by LOC

Any theories on how sika got established in Northland originally? Were sika being farmed up there?

https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets...cal/SFC212.pdf

Page 11. They were illegally liberated in an area where deer farming is prohibited.

Originally Posted by LOC

Any theories on how sika got established in Northland originally? Were sika being farmed up there?

no they were trucked or well trailered up there - but even though we all like deer it was a silly thing to do- it was never going to end well

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

no they were trucked or well trailered up there - but even though we all like deer it was a silly thing to do- it was never going to end well

Just like the ones that were allegedly released out Collingwood way, back in about 85 or 86. Truck and trailor across the strait and out to the side of the road past Collingwood.