WAPITI STALKERS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1931, Page 2

WAPITI STALKERS

AN ADVENTUROUS TRIP. TWO FINE HEADS SECURED. Two exceptionally fine wapiti heads were secured by Messrs J. Colquhoun, A. E. W. M‘Donaid, D. A. M'Donald Invercargill), and J. Henderson (Alonowai), who have returned from an adventurous fortnight in the Glaisnock Valley and George Sound districts. It was only at the end of their trip that the stalkers met with suer cess and so bad did the weather then become that they had to' leave their trophies and win their way back to camp. In the saturated condition in which they then were a night in the open with the rain coming down in torrents, would in all probability have ended with disastrous results. The heads will be retrieved as soon as opportunity permits. They are two of the finest yet secured one measuring close on 60 inches by 50 inches. The party left Invercargill on Thursday, February 26, -and travelled by car to Te Arinu Downs station where they camped in one of the outbuildings for the night. Next morning they proceeded up the lake to the head of North Arm thence several miles up to Glaisnock where they made camp.' It rained all night and all day Saturday. Hordes of sandflies invaded the tent in which the stalkers were sheltering from the downpour. So voracious did they prove that they were soon left in possession the men preferring a wet ■skin to one which irritated in a tliout and plaes. After lunch under trying conditions it was decided to proceed up the Glaisnock on an exploring trip. Next day camp was struck and the party had a very strenuous time following a creek up a rocky gorge. Heavy rain added to their difficulties, and it was a very exhauster. quartet which finally pitched camp after dusk had fallen. Everything was wet and lighting a fire was quite out of the question but here as on many subsequent occasions, metafuel came to their rescue and tliey were able to secure a hot meal.

Next day (Monday) the stalkers set out to make their base camp completing the climb about 2 p.m. The camp was made as snug as possible with a good warm bed of ferns. The growth was of the alpine variety ribbomvood, boxwood, mountain lilies, and mountain daisies. About 4 p.m. the first wapiti was sighted, but it disappeared before a shot could be fired. A bull wapiti was also seen that afternoon but he was too wary. Next morning the stalkers set out to climb the top of the mountain a task which taxed all their skill and energy. It was very heavy going but about 2.30 p.m. they reached the summit and were rewarded with a wonderful view. Immediately below were two lakes resembling each other, so closely .that they seemed- to ho twins .Still further below was another lake which the stalkers identified ns Lake Sutherland discovered by a stalker of that name the previous year. Looking southwards they discovered hy,go'ipbky3ik wards they, discerned a large lake high up on Mount El wood. From the lake a waterfall issued and fell into n valley a great distance Im'ow. As wefcl as the stalker* pould estimate these falls appeared to be higher than the famous Sutherland Falls.' On their way down to the enmp the two members of the party gathered a collection of lovely mountain flowers which grew in profusion everywhere.

The wenther was now all that could he desired. Next morning wapiti tracks were 'followed down to the Glaisnock. Further tracks were found in . abundance but there was no sign of the an!mals themselves. The following day (Thursday, March 4) was devoted to bringing further supplies from the cache at the lake. On the why-back a bull and cow were sighted but they evaded their hunters. Fridny wns momornble principally because of the ravages of sandflies which had an orgy at the exponso of four tormented men. The most pleasant part of. the day

was being lulled—or rather chattered —to sleep by parrakeots in the bush surrounding the camp. Saturday was wet until 10.30 a.m., when. the sun broke through. Wapiti tracks were followed by the stalkers who in turn were followed by clouds of sandflies. A big cow was. seen across the clearing, but no shot was fired at it for fear of disturbing the bull wapiti. Gamp was broken early on Sunday and the final ascent of Glaisnock commenced. Unfortunately just when the stalkers felt that they were within striking distance of their quarry the tops became enshrouded in mist. The climb out of tile Glaisnock basin was the hardest the members oi the party had ever tackled. A keen north wind was blowing on Monday morning as the party reached the entrance of another valley ol the Glaisnock. On attaining a spur rising from a bush flat the four stalkers were thrilled to see a herd o' wapiti about 12 in all, some four miles away. On climbing round a top tr get the wind in their favour tliey sud denly saw below them a medium-sizea bull which they proceeded to stalk. There was excellent cover and the animal’s fate seemed sealed when a much larger hull appeared on the scene. Both were secured and bolli possessed fine 14-pointer heads, that of the larger animal being outstanding. Heavy rain was falling but tlw knowledge that there was still a big herd ahead spurred the hunters on. Finallv they came upon the herd and opened fire. Several more were shot but none of the .heath. compared with the two already secured, The exhilaration of success having passed the stalkers began to consider their own plight. They were soagect to the akin were almost out of food apd the rail) was growing heavier every minute. Taking out the big heads was out of tlio question. It was n severe enough task to get back to camp uiom selves. After a hai'd trip and an anxious search they reached Iheir bogs and proceeded to get worm os best they couM. Jt was still pouring next day. Wot clothes had to be donneu and the way retraced down the Glai.siiock. The heavy rain had nausea creeks to rise rapidly and watterfalls abounded. The base camp was ultimately reached and, thanks to meta-fuel a good meal was enjoyed Wednesday was again wet, and in order to cross a swollen creek on their way back to the lake a tree had to bo felled. Te Downs was reached that evening and the following day the party arried home. The stalkers were satisfied that the time they spent on the blocks coincided with the “roaring season” for the wapiti. They consider ' that a fortnight is all too short in which to meet with success. There is so much ground to be covered and such an endless following of game tracks that one is fortunate to come upon the animals at the end of two weeks, Stalking m such country is more like mountaineering. The -wapiti are as . sure-looted as ( mountain goats. Comparatively little damage was done .to the hush by the wapiti, which fed chiefly on fern grass tree, and “flve-fiingers.’ The larger native . birds—whas, keas, pigeons, kakfis, and blqe mountain ducks—were numerous 1 at there was a surprising absepce pf small birds.