Thread: Thar extermination

This appears to be getting some more traction. From what I hear the National spokesperson for Conservation is making an announcement to call of the cull until proper consultation is taken place

Originally Posted by JoshC

Yes tahr need managed. I hate the word culled. Their numbers are too high in some areas.

On my last trip we saw about 150 over a two and a half day trip, in three catchments and we walked over 75kms. There were five of us and we shot 18 tahr and took meat off them all.

Management involves liaising and listening to interested parties, our values and opinions as recreational hunters are being ignored.

Their estimated tahr population range following the latest survey is 17,500 to 53,000.

The numbers they are talking of culling will exceed the lower population estimate, so these operations will essentially eradicate the tahr from some ranges. That is the scary part.

No, they won't get all the tahr, particularly in South Westland, the bush will protect a few, but the East Coast blocks will easily be cleaned out.

Sage has made it clear that under her office, recreational hunting will have no purpose on the public estate. She is outright anti hunting.

Yes we've had it good, but that is about to change. No question.

True it was tough to find a Tahr in the late 80s early 90s same as deer.

I spoke to my local Mps office(clutha southland) and it appears as though southlanders have been very very vocal!

On a side note Nationals spokeswoman for conservation Sarah Dowie Invercargill mp has demanded a immediate halt to the culls due to NO public consultation what so ever.

Well done guys keep it going !

Originally Posted by Nick-D

I haven't hunted thar. I would love the opportunity to though. I think the issue is the immediate and mass numbers being spoken. You are talking about eradicating a total 2/3 of the herd. Its a pretty extreme approach

Conservation is important, but following recommendations from a study/strategy that is 25 years old isn't good science. With-out good science you don't have good conservation. I wish they would be more transparent with study and information. I feel that if more actual information was offered on the effects and impact of thar in the alpine ecosystems, with actual consultation of the various interest groups we could move forward with less trepidation.

This sort of axe to grind, militant approach just widens the void, encourages discontent and may well hurt the conservation cause as this mistrust manifests into action later down the line.

I agree with your comments regarding the science and strategy. What I would find very interesting is to compare the changes in alpine plant populations within the Tahr zone against comparable alpine areas outside the zone. That comparison would show the impact of Tahr, especially if areas of different population densities were compared.
Much extra area has been added to the DOC estate within the Tahr zone through tenure review of pastoral lease properties since the original Management Plan was written swelling the total Thar area and this needs to be taken into account - animal density per square kilometer versus total population.

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-re...ng-operations/

FYI

https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-heral...s-hunting-flak

You wonder if the Minister has actually read the study that is publicly available on the DOC website. The mean is at around 35000 but the 95% confidence interval goes from like 15000 to 54000 Tahr. The study itself states that there are many variables that arent accountable for that makes data relatively poor in providing a true representation on population levels.....

If only they invested that $500,000 per year on better research methods and working to a greater understanding instead of just throwing a random number out there for the cull based on what essentially is an imperfect measure.

Makes you angry that you actually pay tax for this.

We are not alone see the fishing section ...trout and Salmon are also to find themselves under the gun.

Originally Posted by muzza

Unfortunately I can forsee helicopters been shot at , and Doc vehicles being burned and destroyed in the near future. This will make the 1080 protests look like a kids picnic.

I just hope it doesnt happen at all.....

I hope that doesn't happen. It'd destroy any good will from the politicians and the public.

Sent from my TA-1024 using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by muzza

Unfortunately I can forsee helicopters been shot at , and Doc vehicles being burned and destroyed in the near future. This will make the 1080 protests look like a kids picnic.

I just hope it doesnt happen at all.....

Plenty of nutters out there who would do this, and unfortunately be labelled "hunters" by the media making the rest of us look like shit.

I have sent several emails and a letter so far. The point is this ( in my opinion ). If this goes ahead and it will be detrimental for everyone make no mistake - What do you think the greenie slag will come for next ? Your sika herd in the Kaimanawas/Kawekas ? The Wapiti herd in Fiordland ? Once the deer are gone as well why the need for firearms ? Extreme ?

Think about it . Shame on anyone who voted for this fucking rabble of a coalition . I hope the damage is not too great before they are turfed out at the next election. This may be political but make no mistake. Once they have killed our resources these fruitloops will come for your guns.

Stand up now and be heard .

Well said

Originally Posted by Boaraxa

https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-heral...s-hunting-flak

Funny (not) how the Conservation Authority say it's DOCs fault the numbers weren't kept under control, but the F&B person in this article blames it on hunters.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-count...ectid=12128057

Iv send a few e mails so far the only response has been an automated one from nzfirst ! be interesting to see if I get an actual reply , this could set the stage for something good if everyone gets behind it , the greens need to pull there heads out from under the rock and work with people as opposed to only working within there own group that almost no one voted for , I see in the article it mentions "The new Minister is positioning the direction of DOC away from recreation and visitor assets."

Originally Posted by Boaraxa

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-count...ectid=12128057

Iv send a few e mails so far the only response has been an automated one from nzfirst ! be interesting to see if I get an actual reply , this could set the stage for something good if everyone gets behind it , the greens need to pull there heads out from under the rock and work with people as opposed to only working within there own group that almost no one voted for , I see in the article it mentions "The new Minister is positioning the direction of DOC away from recreation and visitor assets."

That was just an opinion from National member Sarah Dowie