Thread: Deer and 1080 puzzle

I see on stuff this morning Landcare scientists are seeing increased numbers of deer in South Westland in areas where there's been 1080 drops, they're puzzled, no decent explanations.
twig and tweet and the doc greenies will be extremely disappointed!

Article is entitled "More deer encountered after 1080 drops".

I love the part where she says “deer were more conspicuous immediately after the drop, that was completely unexpected and very interesting, we don’t know what caused that” it almost like she didn’t know 1080 killed deer.

The article offers a partial explanation regarding population redistribution if competing species (possums) have been reduced food supply will be increased in those areas. The two dead deer found could have had their dentition checked for an indication of cause of death ie old age as opposed to poisoning.

If it is not just more propaganda to justify even more 1080 use.

Not what was observed in the Molesworth was it.

i have been in pureora before drops during drops and after drops........ i havent seen drops in deer numbers pig numbers goat numbers or rat numbers during any of these times what i have seen is the bush falls silent the birds get hammered, they havent done a 1080 drop in there for about 5 years? and the birdlife is cranking....
a "decent explanation" might be that their targeting of deer (or other target species)with 1080 doesnt work?

Have a link?

https://i.stuff.co.nz/science/111400...ter-1080-drops

https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/1114...ter-1080-drops

Too slow

A friend of mine who formerly worked for DOC told me that he'd seen a video of a possum eating a combination of bait mixed with 1080 pellets.

The possum was sorting through pawfuls of mixed bait, and dropping the 1080 on the ground.

" Mmm Yummy
-Nope, disgusting.
- Ooh yum.
- Nope.
- Nope
- Ooh yummy.
- Didn't they put any Turkish delight in this mix?"

I thought they were not meant to target deer with 1080. Also, were they not starting to put deer repellent in?

It's a cruel death, and users of 1080 for pest control rely on a special exemption in the animal cruelty act to avoid getting charged with causing deliberate animal suffering.

That was my understanding too Cordite. Thought it was all about possums, rats and stoats etc, and deer were just collateral damage.

Nah I call Bollocks to the no deer policy.
They bloody well know it gets them and want them gone.
Molesworth anyone?

Originally Posted by scotty

i have been in pureora before drops during drops and after drops........ i havent seen drops in deer numbers pig numbers goat numbers or rat numbers during any of these times what i have seen is the bush falls silent the birds get hammered, they havent done a 1080 drop in there for about 5 years? and the birdlife is cranking....
a "decent explanation" might be that their targeting of deer (or other target species)with 1080 doesnt work?

I (and local farmer/hunters) saw a "marked" drop in Deer #
Especially in the higher levels likes of the Hauhungaroa Range zone

Mind you I am talking in the 1980's early 1st drops - I think in latter drops the Deer have become wise/shyer to it

Ive seen a big buck possum sitting beside a gin trap and "directing traffic" around it.....the .22lr sorted out that issue...
animals arent dumb...even sheep can "learn" what is good and what isnt.