Thread: Northland deer (again)

In reality the sika are a minor ecological threat up there than mustelids, cats, possums. The money should be allocated accordingly.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

no they were trucked or well trailered up there - but even though we all like deer it was a silly thing to do- it was never going to end well

Just like the ones that were allegedly released out Collingwood way, back in about 85 or 86. Truck and trailor across the strait and out to the side of the road past Collingwood.

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

Just like the ones that were allegedly released out Collingwood way, back in about 85 or 86. Truck and trailor across the strait and out to the side of the road past Collingwood.

Odds are they were sourced from the same place too

Originally Posted by Tahr

Agreed. It's a pipe dream. But aspirational too. Its motivated an extraordinary number of people to make a huge effort. People who otherwise would never go into the trees. Its motivated thousands of elderly into exercise. It's advanced pest reduction technology and approaches. It's got people talking and thinking about pests. And killed a few zillion pests too. So far I think that it's been a stunning success.

But has it really contributed meaningfully to threatened species recovery and sustainability? Even setting aside the volunteer effort in places like Miramar (which arguably isn't transferrable) I cant help think the money spent there would be better applied in habitats where those species more naturally belong? And I have a concern at the potential affects of neglect where ( I think) it matters because people think they are making a difference, when actually they may not be? Just my view, of course.

Originally Posted by Maxx

But has it really contributed meaningfully to threatened species recovery and sustainability? Even setting aside the volunteer effort in places like Miramar (which arguably isn't transferrable) I cant help think the money spent there would be better applied in habitats where those species more naturally belong? And I have a concern at the potential affects of neglect where ( I think) it matters because people think they are making a difference, when actually they may not be? Just my view, of course.

Yes it does make a difference.

I’m the first to say deer in Northland would be awesome, fallow would do great up here in all the broken bush and farm land, it’s not like much of the bush is native any more with all the invasive plants and constant pine tree planting.

But the sika cull is to my understanding not really going to affect many of us, I know allot of people and hunters up here and have never seen or met someone that has seen one of these deer dead or alive. My understanding is they mostly are in the private land to the NE and that is why doc have not been able to cull them out, rumour was they were shot on the bush edges by a couple of farmers out that way that sort of kept them safe. But I suspect they have sold the land or gotten older and handed it down and the younger generations are not interested in keeping them around and doc is getting in while they can.

It isn’t uncommon to see up to 5 feral cats driving up this way at night and I can’t count the amount of times I have had to stop due to pigs on the road so it does seam off they are spending this much money on a few deer that really cannot spread far due to open farm land or the ocean.

Can someone explain this to me. My understanding is that Northland is riddled with feral pigs, do they not cause at least equal if not more damage than deer? Why this focus on deer rather than pigs?

Have to agree with the last couple of posts. I don't disagree with the eradication as a hunter, I disagree as a tax payer! As rusl says, it won't make a bit of difference to the vast majority of hunters in the north. They are not a viable target for those hunting on public land. Lots of other pests to deal with first, especially predators which are rampant, then of course, there's pigs and goats. My opinion is that this is an ideology-driven endeavour rather than something that is going to have a meaningful impact.

As an aside, I know of one person that has a large sika herd on her private block and no one is coming anywhere near them. There must be others. In addition, releasing pigs in to the bush for the purpose of hunting with dogs is also pretty common. I was fortunate enough to hunt an adjacent farm for a while and was bringing home the bacon!

I read with some horror in the news article the words Taranaki next bugger off

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

I read with some horror in the news article the words Taranaki next bugger off

That is my broader concern. If it's OK for one region, why not for the next?

Originally Posted by MB

That is my broader concern. If it's OK for one region, why not for the next?

In this climate with budget cuts, I don't think we need worry too much as it took a lot of time and work to get the funding to do the Sika in Russell. This funding was approved as it was an illegal release into any area without a resident population.

I have never seen as many deer as there are in the wild now post Covid and with a major reduction in WARO, the numbers are climbing and I don't think removal is a treat, effective control without some form of intervention is, however.
While I was away during the roar 5 different blocks in the areas I hunt had culled to waste, they had not done this before Covid. One station alone culled over 400 animals.

Originally Posted by gmm

In this climate with budget cuts, I don't think we need worry too much as it took a lot of time and work to get the funding to do the Sika in Russell. This funding was approved as it was an illegal release into any area without a resident population.

I have never seen as many deer as there are in the wild now post Covid and with a major reduction in WARO, the numbers are climbing and I don't think removal is a treat, effective control without some form of intervention is, however.
While I was away during the roar 5 different blocks in the areas I hunt had culled to waste, they had not done this before Covid. One station alone culled over 400 animals.

From what I've read on the forum, I think you're right, but as someone who has to drive at least half a day to even start deer hunting on public land, you'll forgive my concern.

Taranakis problem is that Taranaki Regional Council have money and if TRC get involved they are driven by a lot of Dairy Farmers who are worried about TB - even though the threat is no longer there - to be watched

Originally Posted by MB

From what I've read on the forum, I think you're right, but as someone who has to drive at least half a day to even start deer hunting on public land, you'll forgive my concern.

Yep, in the same boat there with the travel. I have started to hunt the South Island a lot more as find it easier to get access and lot less hunting pressure. The issue is always the travel, just have to go for longer.

They're also suggesting coromandel as well as naki and norf. It's all another green extreme rort and timed with the desire to eradicage Tahr and wapiti.