Thread: NZ Whitetail situation

Kaylyn gave a great presentation at our nzda branch recently, very informative. It could or even should be a herd that the GAC considers for a herd of special but someone needs to do the leg work to get it put forward.

Get some into the Kawekas

There were Tahr in the tararuas until recently, all shot out by authorities.

Kaylyn McBrearty is currently making informal discussions with all major hunting organisations and interests to nominate the Wakatipu Whitetail herd as a herd of special interest (HOSI).

Most hunting interests are very supportive. If large numbers of immature animals continue to be shot there will not be a resource for any hunting in the future, we also need to ensure that future pest control operations do not impact this herd again. R93 is correct there is nothing wrong with the genetics of this herd, a few very large whitetail have been taken in recent years, however most bucks are dead before they are fully mature.

White-tailed Deer Research in New Zealand is also going to run some training seminars to help hunters age whitetail in the field, hopefully in time this herds situation will improve and can be better appreciated by New Zealanders. Currently the herd is in a very bad state, there could very easily be less than 500 animals, please keep this in mind, if you are after meat go for fallow or reds.

Good luck Kaylyn.

Look where the Manawatu sambar was 30 years ago, I don't see how a 10-20 year break won't see the whitetail back to a viable population in the Whakatipu.

As for the Wapiti, VC and R93 are right. We have the pure imported genetics available to improve the herd quicker than selection on the current wild genetics, why wouldn't you do a release program in conjunction with the aerial programme targeting reds? Defies belief

Originally Posted by Pointer

Look where the Manawatu sambar was 30 years ago, I don't see how a 10-20 year break won't see the whitetail back to a viable population in the Whakatipu.

As for the Wapiti, VC and R93 are right. We have the pure imported genetics available to improve the herd quicker than selection on the current wild genetics, why wouldn't you do a release program in conjunction with the aerial programme targeting reds? Defies belief

Who says they havnt already!!!

Might be hunting with a wap foundation member soon. He explained a few things as to the reason why not to me last year.
I will get him to remind me so I can pass it on.
Stagasorous might know first hand.
Iirc it's all doc blocking any progress apart from red culls.


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My understanding is that the govt. blocked any chance of that with their laws on releasing pest animals, and doc happily plays that card every time it's suggested

Which is why all deer/pigs/tahr/cham need to be listed as Game rather than pests.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Which is why all deer/pigs/tahr/cham need to be listed as Game rather than pests.

That will only happen if the government sees a dollar in it.

I have heard the rumours of new wap blood in the park but talking to people who frequent the area daily they have yet to see it.

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And any clandestine releases won't make a drop in the gene pool. It has to be a large scale release of pure bulls and cows followed by successive releases over time, supplemented by aerial culling of red type animals. A few wap bulls snuck over the fence won't do it