MANAWATU DEER HEADS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2467, 15 August 1922, Page 2

MANAWATU DEER HEADS

NO BIG INCREASE NOTED. ZAMBUR DYING OUT. Recently complaints have been made in various parts of the Dominion that- deer are increasing so rapidly as to become a nuisance to settlers. Enquiries made locally go to show that this position of affairs does not obtain in the Palmerston North Acclimatisation Society’s district. The deer in this district comprise Red deer in the Tararuas and Znmbur, the latter ranging on the low-lying stretch of country along the coast between Tokomaru and Bulls.

The season for Znmbur has justclosed and a “Standard” representative was informed the other day, on reliable authority, that very few heads were taken. The Zarnbur do not roar; and whereas the red deer stag is stalked on foot, through its roaring, the Zarnbur are mostly hunted on horseback and shot down on the run. As an indication that this species of deer is dying out in the district, it is worthy of record that this year there has been no complaint from settlers about the animals getting into the turnips and other crops.

No .alarming increase is reported among the Red deer located in the district, and in this connection it is significant that during the last season only seven heads were taken. The herd is reported to be deteriorating, nearly all tbe heads being weak in the bay points. There is, however, no sign of the Zarnbur going back in this respect, but their numbers are fast diminishing.