Thread: Current South Island WARO Activity

Hey Guys,

Following reports of market access resuming to China for wild deer velvet (Newstalk ZB Rural Show November 24) https://www.velvet.org.nz/news-resou...set-to-resume/


Has anyone heard of WARO activity increasing throughout South Island. Very little if any in the Ruahines currently, green zones plenty deer about open.

Any reports past activity over past few years would also be helpful, we are heading down SI next year. Hunted North Canterbury green zone March 24, deer on high tops good numbers and behaviour suggested never hunted by helicopter.

Sam

Originally Posted by HuntaClimbsHigh

Hey Guys,

Following reports of market access resuming to China for wild deer velvet (Newstalk ZB Rural Show November 24) https://www.velvet.org.nz/news-resou...set-to-resume/


Has anyone heard of WARO activity increasing throughout South Island. Very little if any in the Ruahines currently, green zones plenty deer about open.

Any reports past activity over past few years would also be helpful, we are heading down SI next year. Hunted North Canterbury green zone March 24, deer on high tops good numbers and behaviour suggested never hunted by helicopter.

Sam

The problem was in relation to the blockage in the farmed velvet trade to China. Any wild velvet harvesting is a by-product of the wild venison trade, and there's not a lot of that going on. I wouldn't worry about it.

Also from what I understand, most of the wild venison market as far as Waro is concerned, is being soaked up from easier access and high numbers, private land ATM.

I only know forsure of one operator taking animals around Hanmer/Kaikoura and rumors of one based on the western side occasionally shooting deer. Not huge numbers and generally speaking front country private and public. Operating cost are still very high, I think prices for both meat and velvet would need to inflate alot before there was more consistent pressure put on the backcountry but there may well be a slight uptick I aerial pressure in the coming years.

Machine from Blenheim been down semi regularly and does a bit down here (Nth Otago/Sth Canterbury) but all private land

i think it is all private lands.

Top of the south. Bill Hales out of Hanmer is doing a bit as usual from what I hear. Premium Game is also doing WARO as required to fill orders, mostly private land where numbers are high and easy shooting. They venture further sth. as required for Tahr orders. Molesworths Travellers Valley (Waimea stream) area was culled recently but prohibited hunting area anyway.

Originally Posted by HuntaClimbsHigh

Hey Guys,

Following reports of market access resuming to China for wild deer velvet (Newstalk ZB Rural Show November 24) [url]https://www.velvet.org.nz/news-resources/news/frozen-velvet-exports-to-china-set-to-resume/[
Has anyone heard of WARO activity increasing throughout South Island. Very little if any in the Ruahines currently, green zones plenty deer about open.

Any reports past activity over past few years would also be helpful, we are heading down SI next year. Hunted North Canterbury green zone March 24, deer on high tops good numbers and behaviour suggested never hunted by helicopter.

Sam

The wild venison trade was killed years ago by the bureaucrats with regulations and cost. An era gone to quote Dave Ratcliffe. I acted for a client who owned a venison processing plant. He got out of it for that reason.

Plenty of animals getting taken off private land but going to pet food. Good money in it for the land owner and good that they are controlling numbers

Really appreciate the feedback and updates. Yeah I heard similiar, WARO on private land east Mt White where high numbers and easy shooting last year. Reducing numbers front country to avoid negative public perceptions, issues for farming and conservation will help prolong better hunting.

Given lack local WARO, would have to agree running costs and commodity values limiting backcountry hunting for now. Might be different STH Westland, West Coast and around Southern Lakes where activity seams to persist.

WARO saved the deer herds, caught up w Mike Bennet 2009 whom shot down there peak herd 1960s…. And wrote the “Venison Hunters”

Incidentally during 2015 WARO review several RED Zones were changed to Green. The local DOC office which reversed it recommendation for Scenic Reserve to RED based on several landowner submissions incl mine and fact reserve was only four kms wide surrounded farmland. Yet Managment Panel changed status to GREEN anyhow.

Good opportunities for all, enjoy your open country hunting!

Sam

Seems there might be a bit more happening over the summer. Had a conversation with my old neighbor who is a pilot, himself and another crew from Blenheim shot the klKaikoura DOC country from the Hapuku,Mt Fyffe and Kowhai. They took 70odd deer and according to him the iwi land up the Arahura is being opened up for a WARO run this summer.

Plenty of deer around, from a selfish point of view it would be great if stags weren't targeted but that's just a pipedream.

I should refrase that last piece, I wish there was an incentive for the operators to target hinds to make it worth their while.

WARO is constant in the deep south and mostly carried out to fill orders from the various meat processing plants. I know one operator who is out this week to fill the order book. Doesn't make a dent in the population though.