The sounds culling happening this week

NOTICE TO HUNTERS
Please see the following information on an ungulate control operation occuring on Public Conservation Land within the Marlborough Sounds Hunting Area.


Queen Charlotte Ungulate Control Operation
From 20 May until the end of May 2025 an ungulate control operation is occurring on Public Conservation Land and a small amount of private land from The Grove to Picton, Queen Charlotte Sound (See map attached below).

The operation is primarily targeting goats and will be achieved using ground hunting teams with dogs. It aims to achieve a ‘reset’ of ungulate numbers, which have increased significantly in recent years with increased damage to the vegetation.

Please be aware if you are in this area during these dates:

· There could be noise from rifle shots.

· Signs will be in place at key points of entry advising on the operation.

Yep. I believe Kahurangi Pest Control are doing it. Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust asked every residence to contribute $350 to cover costs. Be interesting to see how many animals they get. I’ve shot nearly 3000 goats in that area over 10 years and there’s still more there. Infill from surrounding area and good breeding seasons don’t help.

what are the population densities like @woods223? I ask as 3000 over 10 years sounds like you were working hard for your kills? and just my observation since moving south, but while there seems to be goats all over, they don't seem to be in the numbers id see up north.

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Originally Posted by whanahuia

what are the population densities like @woods223? I ask as 3000 over 10 years sounds like you were working hard for your kills? and just my observation since moving south, but while there seems to be goats all over, they don't seem to be in the numbers id see up north.

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Probably not like North Island numbers. It’s just one area I hunt, pretty much all bush shooting. Numbers were up there, could shoot 30+ in a 1-2 hour period but numbers have decreased over time. Early on area was fairly open in a lot of places, now it’s a struggle to get around because of regeneration. Last serious hunt about 3 weeks ago spent a few hours searching before getting onto a few bordering private bushland, 26 shot in about 45 mins. Last couple of years only hunt there when residents contact me or they invade DOC Motorcamp. Probably get a few more with a dog but my spaniel gets too keen and I’m not going to run another dog just for goats, not my full time job.

Well that'll boost the pigs numbers with all that tucker left on the hill, I've been seeing more and more fat stinky pigs after each cull

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Originally Posted by Deanohit

Well that'll boost the pigs numbers with all that tucker left on the hill, I've been seeing more and more fat stinky pigs after each cull

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That'll be on the northern side of Grove Arm and Queen Charlotte where Trap and Trigger have done chopper and ground based culling I assume you mean.

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Originally Posted by woods223

That'll be on the northern side of Grove Arm and Queen Charlotte where Trap and Trigger have done chopper and ground based culling I assume you mean.

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Yup that's it, Te Mahia to Kenepuru Heads, pigs are all over the show.
Also had a large influx of deer over around Mount Stokes, I'm guessing they were the ones smart enough to run ahead of the chopper