Thread: Molesworth Ballot 2018

Originally Posted by play4laugh

Hi all,

I'm involved with the Marlborough NZDA. We conducted a survey of the Molesworth using a Helicopter after the 1080 drop last year. A research paper is currently being written detailing our findings. We aren't releasing any details of our findings as we are keeping our powder dry for when the report is completed.

I can however talk about my personal experience. I booked the Chimney block in late Jan as I wanted to see how things were looking 3 months after the 1080 drop. The Chimney block had 1080 applied to it but is right on the boundary of the poisoned area and next to some prime hunting areas that didn't get 1080 dropped on them. I spent two days hunting this block and the only living things a found were rabbits and hares. There was zero deer sign.

I have since cancelled my roar block as I believe it is pointless going in there. The DOC permit states:

"Hunters need to be aware that this operation has had an impact on the numbers of deer, and you will expect to see fewer deer than normal in affected areas during a hunting trip to Molesworth."

I think "see fewer deer" is a huge understatement. It should say, you are highly unlikely to see any deer. If you have a roar block in the Molesworth you may want to do some of your own research before you head in.

I would be interested to hear what other hunters have experienced in the Molesworth since the 1080 drop.

I am not a Molesworth hunter, but nevertheless pleased to see that some follow up is underway with respect to that 1080 operation. All I know about it is what's been posted on the web, and that has appeared to be mostly grizzles from hunters.....so its reassuring to see that some (hopefully useful) questions will be put to those who approved and conducted the operation.

Originally Posted by Maxx

I am not a Molesworth hunter, but nevertheless pleased to see that some follow up is underway with respect to that 1080 operation. All I know about it is what's been posted on the web, and that has appeared to be mostly grizzles from hunters.....so its reassuring to see that some (hopefully useful) questions will be put to those who approved and conducted the operation.

I thought only a 1/3 of the station was poisoned?


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Originally Posted by R93

I thought only a 1/3 of the station was poisoned?


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Correct, eastern end. Next two years is to cover the rest of it I think

Its been broken into 3 areas, 3 drops each over nine years so in 3 years time where they dropped the last lot its getting bombed again and 3 years after that. Cant see even with repellant how the deer are going to come back to any level for the next ten years plus....

I guess the bird life is going to be awesome the deer must eat so many now the deer are gone the birds are going to be really safe

I just spent the last 5 days in the molesworth and we saw 2 deer in our block, hind and yearling. I have a mate who went into the block the last 2 years before the 1080 and he said the deer numbers were awesome.
Well i can say they are buggered now!! we covered the whole block and almost every valley, massive trip and all for 2 deer. Good chamois numbers still so nice to see the 1080 hasn't affected them to much.
Going off this if you have a roar block that has been 1080ed then i would say don't bother. Disappointing

I'm surprised this is allowed to be discussed on here,,,,has that naughty word on it,...


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Originally Posted by burtonator

I just spent the last 5 days in the molesworth and we saw 2 deer in our block, hind and yearling. I have a mate who went into the block the last 2 years before the 1080 and he said the deer numbers were awesome.
Well i can say they are buggered now!! we covered the whole block and almost every valley, massive trip and all for 2 deer. Good chamois numbers still so nice to see the 1080 hasn't affected them to much.
Going off this if you have a roar block that has been 1080ed then i would say don't bother. Disappointing

I cant like that post.

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We were in the Yarra Block 17 - 21 Feb., Saw 3 promising stags, 2 spikers and 9 hinds. Nothing showing up near the Chimney boundary but still worth looking further in. Never fired a shot but in "hindsight" probably should of seeing as how they'll be tits-up soon enough. Would imagine it'll be noisy during the roar

Originally Posted by Bos

We were in the Yarra Block 17 - 21 Feb., Saw 3 promising stags, 2 spikers and 9 hinds. Nothing showing up near the Chimney boundary but still worth looking further in. Never fired a shot but in "hindsight" probably should of seeing as how they'll be tits-up soon enough. Would imagine it'll be noisy during the roar

Only the western face of the Yarra got 1080 so maybe that is the reason there's still some Deer in there.

Absolute shitload of rabbits and hares.

No Deer.

Few Chamois

No Possoms

Tons of Skinks

Plenty of Mingimingi,Matagouri and Briar in the guts and valleys. Severe lack of any vegetation to provide cover.

Nice place.......................if it had deer

Originally Posted by Reindeer

Absolute shitload of rabbits and hares.

No Deer.

Few Chamois

No Possoms

Tons of Skinks

Plenty of Mingimingi,Matagouri and Briar in the guts and valleys. Severe lack of any vegetation to provide cover.

Nice place.......................if it had deer

What block did you have?

The government is happy to Chuck loads of 1080 into waterways all over Newzealand without a second thought to anyone's wellbeing but now want to ban roundup that kills noxious weeds.Makes sense.

Originally Posted by Titanium

The government is happy to Chuck loads of 1080 into waterways all over Newzealand without a second thought to anyone's wellbeing but now want to ban roundup that kills noxious weeds.Makes sense.

Really? is that an actual thing, they want to ban roundup sold at any miter ten etc?
So we go back to pouring Diesel on stuff we want dead?

@veitnamcam we had Lower Acheron. Came out early.