Thread: Wild deer roaming Whanganui! C'mon people, where's the hunters?

Originally Posted by Tahr

The article acknowledged that, but implied a reluctance to do it. Your last para probably sums it up. Honestly, if I was DOC I would hesitate to use the Act to enter private land against a farmers' wish. It would make your job hell.

Happening regularly on Aucklands Nth Shore. Guy comes at 3am in the morning to a lifestyle block with QEII bush reserve, uses a suppressed 300 BLK with subs and night vision. Leaves a dressed carcass or two on the owner's doorstep. He's happy to get it.

So if it's deer on private land.... are the farmers permitting access for hunters? I'm guessing that it'd not as simple as "too many deer"

Seems to me the issue is that private landowners have a bit of a dilemma with allowing access, many find it easier not to - often for understandable reasons.

Deer becoming more urban, doing runs into town for party pills maybe explains some weird behaviour I've been seeing lately.

there are small holdings with fallow on right alongside Wanganui likely the odd escapee - one is dealing with the escape artists of the deer world - fallow can squeeze thru damn small holes in fences - yes DOC are reluctant to use the Wild Animal Control Act and very few DOC staff will have a good knowledge of it - but a point with it - its not as simple as saying to a landowner we are using the WAC Act and are coming onto your property to control your deer numbers - the land owner has the right of objection once he is notified of the intention to use its access powers - but that is focused on the landowner suffering hardship if the act is used - DOC are very scared of using it since it will take away a landowners rights to his property and allow hunters to come in against his wishes - it has to be signed off very high up the DOC food chain way above local staff or Area Manager - but really a few fallow running around and the karens have a field day - as said on here the out of control wandering dogs are way more of a threat -many of us know streets one would be reluctant to walk down

There are some hilarious comments here. Tahr, I appreciate your measured views. We do have an issue in NZ, which is exponential reproductive rates of our ungulates. It's nothing new, we are back in the 1900s and our trajectory will, quite possibly, take us to the same place... which I hope everyone here knows is a significant reduction to very low population densities that we saw in the 80s and 90s etc. Fortunately the solution in most areas is simple, shoot a few hinds/does when you can, which will mean leaving some meat on the hill in many situations. Not ideal, I know, but we don't live in an ideal world. I would give more credit to someone showing me a photo of them standing over 10 dead hinds, than a photo of someone with a nice even 14 point red. The reason we will continue to have good, healthy deer is because of those that put a good number of ungulates on the ground. My goal is to shoot 100-200 ungulates again in 2026 (mix of species, deer/tahr/goats/pigs), knowing that population densities will still be increasing with that rate of removal.
This doesn't address increasing densities in peri-urban areas, but it's more important to protect the populations that we like to hunt, in the areas that we like to hunt. If DOC need to go in somewhere to cull unsustainably high densities, then we, as hunters, have brought it on ourselves due to our inability to maintain reasonable numbers. I have not yet heard a valid argument to counter that last sentence. Our wildlife management (introduced species) in NZ is incredibly amateur, but there are a few folk out there worth listening to. Hopefully we will learn before an extensive ungulate 'correction' is implemented. Sorry, borderline rant.

Politicians set the scene.
It's simple; encourage hunting.

In W.A. and N.S.W ferals are about to explode.

The number of shooters/hunters is likely going to crash due to draconian new firearm laws being implemented.

Mind you Green party voted in favour of the new laws. They are about to get what they have wished for.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

Politicians set the scene.
It's simple; encourage hunting.

In W.A. and N.S.W ferals are about to explode.

The number of shooters/hunters is likely going to crash due to draconian new firearm laws being implemented.

Mind you Green party voted in favour of the new laws. They are about to get what they have wished for.

That's because like here they seem to dislike hunters and firearms and much prefer poisoning

Speaking of to many deer - a large amount of federated farmers posts on Facebook were complaining about to many deer or farms - there was a lot of farmers complaining about the deer on their land! I messaged every single one I saw - offering to help out, for free and not just shot one or 2 deer or come for trophies. - but to make a good solid effort to cull them - not a single person took me up- most ignored but a few said that’s but no thanks “they have friends who hunt there already”

and that Speights Drinker is the problem all over the place same story they moan but when push comes to shove have a very protectionist attitude

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

and that Speights Drinker is the problem all over the place same story they moan but when push comes to shove have a very protectionist attitude

Hard to find good journo’s I know but given changes to H&S someone needs to ask these cockies the question “why don’t you allow hunters to come in and cull them” instead of making it a government/regional Council problem.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

and that Speights Drinker is the problem all over the place same story they moan but when push comes to shove have a very protectionist attitude

Hard to find good journo’s I know but given changes to H&S someone needs to ask these cockies the question “why don’t you allow hunters to come in and cull them” instead of making it a government/regional Council problem.

many are scared of Health and Safety they should not be I work across dozens of farms tractor driving no problem most days rarely see the cocky - but many dont understand the legislation - sl long as they explain real hazards - i.e dont use that bridge or that track - personal visit can sometimes work - a system of enhanced value works to - what can I do for you - look after the place while you are away feed dogs chooks guard the house all worth a try to break the ice

Originally Posted by omark

Hard to find good journo’s I know but given changes to H&S someone needs to ask these cockies the question “why don’t you allow hunters to come in and cull them” instead of making it a government/regional Council problem.

Because 98% of weekend warriors are complete fuckheads who ruin it for the very few that are not complete fuckheads. I've heard it all myself before "im super responsible, ill leave all the gates how I found them, I grew up in the country so I know how to respect land, I won't show up to your door on my best behavior and then proceed to roar around with all my mates pissed to bits with firearms on your land, im willing to help out and knock over some weeds or help in the yards for a day, I just want to shoot a deer for the freezer with my kid..." bla bla bla its always the same stories to sell themselves and then its always the same bullshit that ends up happening so unfortunately a lot of farmers for the most part have a gates closed policy, its not just some playground for someone to tip over a few deer, its literally their home and their livelihood.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Because 98% of weekend warriors are complete fuckheads who ruin it for the very few that are not complete fuckheads. I've heard it all myself before "im super responsible, ill leave all the gates how I found them, I grew up in the country so I know how to respect land, I won't show up to your door on my best behavior and then proceed to roar around with all my mates pissed to bits with firearms on your land, im willing to help out and knock over some weeds or help in the yards for a day, I just want to shoot a deer for the freezer with my kid..." bla bla bla its always the same stories to sell themselves and then its always the same bullshit that ends up happening so unfortunately a lot of farmers for the most part have a gates closed policy, its not just some playground for someone to tip over a few deer, its literally their home and their livelihood.

You're right on the money Ryan.
And even guys with lots of experience can be a liability.
I'm used to riding bikes and horses etc on steep country. But have only had experience on ash Country.
When I go on to clay country I need to be very cautious of how slippery it is.
In situations like that I prefer to be a passenger with someone who knows the environment.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Because 98% of weekend warriors are complete fuckheads who ruin it for the very few that are not complete fuckheads. I've heard it all myself before "im super responsible, ill leave all the gates how I found them, I grew up in the country so I know how to respect land, I won't show up to your door on my best behavior and then proceed to roar around with all my mates pissed to bits with firearms on your land, im willing to help out and knock over some weeds or help in the yards for a day, I just want to shoot a deer for the freezer with my kid..." bla bla bla its always the same stories to sell themselves and then its always the same bullshit that ends up happening so unfortunately a lot of farmers for the most part have a gates closed policy, its not just some playground for someone to tip over a few deer, its literally their home and their livelihood.

agree with all of this and will add weekend warriors are generally hopeless bush stalkers,theyl want to just park up and watch a bush edge and gut shoot some longnecks.it doesn't put a dent in the numbers, even if every weekend has a hunter in there the deer catch on and stealth away from that area until it settles down.