Thread: Tahr cull doc betrayal

Originally Posted by gimp

I have to imagine those discussions are happening, but historically volunteer foot culls achieve relatively minor number reductions. It’s not like DOC has gone and shot all of the tahr, and numbers are back to 10k already. There has been an ordinary culling operation combined with a media release (?) from the minister referencing new monitoring numbers, there’s still opportunity for hunting groups to go volunteer to shoot a bucketload if tahr if we want to

If the numbers are too high, cull them I’m not hung up about that. But if DOC is once again ignoring a recreational stakeholder they are charged with actually fostering - rec hunters, as they did on WARO and AATH, then they should be called out on it.

Originally Posted by ethos

If the numbers are too high, cull them I’m not hung up about that. But if DOC is once again ignoring a recreational stakeholder they are charged with actually fostering - rec hunters, as they did on WARO and AATH, then they should be called out on it.

I absolutely agree that rec hunters can make a partial contribution to reducing tahr numbers and should be being encouraged to do so. I am not involved with the Tahr Interest Group or a representative of DOC so I can't comment on what is or isn't happening at all in that space - are you involved and can you comment? I'd go on more foot culls. I've been signed up for the TIG culls for the last 3 years but this year and last year it didn't happen for whatever reasons.

Originally Posted by gimp

I absolutely agree that rec hunters can make a partial contribution to reducing tahr numbers and should be being encouraged to do so. I am not involved with the Tahr Interest Group or a representative of DOC so I can't comment on what is or isn't happening at all in that space - are you involved and can you comment? I'd go on more foot culls. I've been signed up for the TIG culls for the last 3 years but this year and last year it didn't happen for whatever reasons.

No not involved which was why the question, did DOC consult or even mention before culling?

Originally Posted by ethos

No not involved which was why the question, did DOC consult or even mention before culling?

I don't know, however please don't imagine that culling is particularly unusual or completed, the job is too big for ground hunters to achieve. A lot of aerial culling WILL be required to get numbers back to anywhere near the level specified, so it's somewhat irrelevant whether hunters/hunting groups are consulted on every piece of work. I believe the way it used to work was that there was a yearly (?) meeting with all stakeholders and DOC where the areas that required culling were discussed in advance and options for organised volunteer culls were put forward. I don't know though, I don't sit on any of this stuff and it's hard to actually find out *who* the TIG (who apparently represent hunters on tahr issues with DOC) even are, let alone any contact details to talk to them.

Originally Posted by gimp

........... I've been signed up for the TIG culls for the last 3 years but this year and last year it didn't happen for whatever reasons.

Do you have any idea why 'it didn't happen'? Lack of interest from the TIG guys, or DoC?

Originally Posted by Maxx

Do you have any idea why 'it didn't happen'? Lack of interest from the TIG guys, or DoC?

I’m not sure exactly, but not going to say any more as this thread has renewed my curiosity and I am actively investigating.