Thread: Northland deer (again)

Originally Posted by gmm

I don't understand your comment on the Lolly scramble, have you taken the time to understand the program and how the program is being conducted?
The simple fact is that this was an illegal release of deer into a deer free environment. Personally, I think the current program is the best solution to the issue and I would rather see a well-planned comprehensive program to eradicate the herd than the often-standard go to of a 1080 drop.

The bottom line is that a program like this is the only way to eradicate this population, plenty has been done in the past with little or no result. Hunting has proven to have little or no impact and as Cowboy has said it's a hard place to hunt and the numbers are low. A lot of money has been spent on this in the past with little result.
The heard is small in numbers and a lot of the hinds when shot during this program have been found to be baren which may be the reason why.
I was skeptical about the program at the start, however I took the time to understand how the program was being run, the obligations DOC had to remove the herd and full scope of the research leading up to the actual eradication process and I now fully support the program, and I am impressed with the results.

The program still has some phases to complete so not finished yet.

What has become apparent to me is that the complexity, cost and time it has taken to eradicate this small herd puts the predator free 2050 program into context.

I do have to correct you on one point 1080 is not used to target deer in NZ and long may that continue DOC have expressly stated they will not use 1080 specifically on deer and have not done so - yes deer are killed when 1080 is used in possum control but they are bi-kill - the no killed can vary a lot depending on how much feed is available for deer - we cant stop that