Thread: Deer taking over Lower Hutt

Meanwhile in the rest of the world... deer come and go from peoples back yards all the time and have done for hundreds of years.

It's hardly newsworthy, just STUFF trying to sell their stories.

Originally Posted by planenutz

Meanwhile in the rest of the world... deer come and go from peoples back yards all the time and have done for hundreds of years.

It's hardly newsworthy, just STUFF trying to sell their stories.

It IS newsworthy, and is a growing problem. HBRC biosecurity staff tell me the deer population are higher than the previous highest in the 50's, and the East Coast from here to Wellington have increasing populations. I've tried to tie it to the firearm law changes relating to pest control vs hunting, but most of our population don't understand the difference. If hunters can't keep the deer under control, green rain and AR10s out of helicopters will be the result. This is actually an opportunity for hunters to get together with regional authorities and come up with a plan to suit all parties. No idea who is going to do this of course, but now is the time.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

It IS newsworthy, and is a growing problem. HBRC biosecurity staff tell me the deer population are higher than the previous highest in the 50's

We are a long way off from having populations like the 50’s, that’s just scare mongering.

Originally Posted by outdoorlad

We are a long way off from having populations like the 50’s, that’s just scare mongering.

I believe it, here's an example. I've been involved in a Landcare research study of lizard populations, the same guys have been monitoring the same spots for the last 5 years or so. They commented that when they started 5 years ago none of the local farmers ever mentioned deer, now every farmer is talking about them. 5 years ago they never saw a deer, this last time around they said they saw at least one almost every day on the monitoring trail. Yeah the feral deer numbers are up dramatically, I wasn't around in the 50's so can't comment on that aspect, but far more deer around than there ever was in my memory going back to 1970.


Only speaking for HB region.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

I believe it, here's an example. I've been involved in a Landcare research study of lizard populations, the same guys have been monitoring the same spots for the last 5 years or so. They commented that when they started 5 years ago none of the local farmers ever mentioned deer, now every farmer is talking about them. 5 years ago they never saw a deer, this last time around they said they saw at least one almost every day on the monitoring trail. Yeah the feral deer numbers are up dramatically, I wasn't around in the 50's so can't comment on that aspect, but far more deer around than there ever was in my memory going back to 1970.


Only speaking for HB region.

Not the case for all of Hawkes Bay. Some of the areas that traditionally held the highest deer numbers out towards the Ranges etc probably peaked a couple of years ago.
Farms who never used to let people hunt are now letting people in. Others have given the deer a good tickle up and some have even got the chopper in. On some of the more open blocks the deer struggle to hide and can be controlled extremely effectively via a quick chopper flight.
Likewise some have just told hunters to shoot everything the see and it is amazing how quickly the deer population has dropped.
Deer aren't like goats.....they don't breed all that fast.

Originally Posted by TLB

Not the case for all of Hawkes Bay. Some of the areas that traditionally held the highest deer numbers out towards the Ranges etc probably peaked a couple of years ago.
Farms who never used to let people hunt are now letting people in. Others have given the deer a good tickle up and some have even got the chopper in. On some of the more open blocks the deer struggle to hide and can be controlled extremely effectively via a quick chopper flight.
Likewise some have just told hunters to shoot everything the see and it is amazing how quickly the deer population has dropped.
Deer aren't like goats.....they don't breed all that fast.

That's good to know, thanks for that. Great to hear logic is taking over as well, with farmers and hunters working together. Now it's time for us coastal guys to get our act together. It's a shame anyone needs to resort to helicopters (unless it's forum members doing the work of course!).

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

It IS newsworthy, and is a growing problem. HBRC biosecurity staff tell me the deer population are higher than the previous highest in the 50's, and the East Coast from here to Wellington have increasing populations. I've tried to tie it to the firearm law changes relating to pest control vs hunting, but most of our population don't understand the difference. If hunters can't keep the deer under control, green rain and AR10s out of helicopters will be the result. This is actually an opportunity for hunters to get together with regional authorities and come up with a plan to suit all parties. No idea who is going to do this of course, but now is the time.

So when are we having a Forum cull weekend at your place? I've not no problem giving you a hand getting numbers down.