Thread: TB control in Molesworth

Good opinion piece Woods223. I hope that the responses would have been the same if you said you supported 1080. Not because this is a 1080 discussion but the reason being that we need to have rational non emotionally based discussion where we are all free to differ in view but collectively reach good management decisions. I have hunted the area quite a bit and often bemoaned the fact that the country is locked up very early in winter. I have also met friends of management heading home from a successful hunt with lots of big heads in places the public are not allowed during the roar which is a lot of country. There are many things at play and I understand that to have hunters everywhere constantly could be an issue for farming etc. I also understand that this is actually our land. A balance must and can be found. A management agreement and the application of that by a hunting group outside of DOC etc is probably the best option. If DOC struggle to deliver what is needed within allocated budget and resourcing then that needs to be addressed. My view is that Molesworth is a sitter for a good management regime that ensures a sustainable herd of high quality (meat and heads) animals. Its open nature makes it a simpler option to manage if numbers need to be cropped and selected animals removed aerially. There are still currently too many hunters across NZ wanting too many and too many in public service management absolutely petrified of giving a little ground to hunters and having them involved more in active management. Middle ground with environment at the core can be reached and happily done by all. I still live in hope.