Thread: TB control in Molesworth

Originally Posted by Hiawatha

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.

While I stated my opposition to aeriel application of 1080, due to previously indiscriminant application techniques and unintended by-kill of species that are endangered and/or in need of protection, I can also see the need for accurate targeted application such as via bait-stations. Over the years I have held vertebrate and other poisons licences and have used substances such as 1080, cyanide paste/pellets, phosphorus and a few others. I therefore know how effective these substances can be, it's a shame some are no longer available to use. But I didn't want to venture into that debate, there are too many rabid points of view on that topic for my liking.
As to access onto such places as Molesworth Station this is a complex situation of balancing such things as:
1. The requirements of effective stock management and farming practices.
2. Meeting the statutory requirements of the Conservation act, Health and Safety act and various others.
3. Meeting the wishes of the general public to have un-fettered access to DOC estate.
My opinion only but in some instances having too readily available access is not always the best situation.Regarding Molesworth and St. James, myself and others have had instances of meeting people 'out there doing it' who didn't have a f*cking clue of the danger they were putting themselves in by not carrying adequate equipment, not knowing their route and not having adequate/any knowledge of what to expect in an alpine environment. This applies to many places in New Zealand.
In the case of those who wish to gain better access to Molesworth, which I think is reasonably straight-forward, maybe they should put some effort into it by making submissions to things like: The Conservation Management Strategy, Molesworth Management Plan, Regional Conservation Committees.
It's serves no useful purpose to sit back and whinge about things if you're not prepared to get of your arse and have constructive input into enhancing the situation.
Just my 2 cents worth.