WAPITI HUNTING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 126, 27 April 1940, Page 8

WAPITI HUNTING.

EXPERIENCES IN THE SOUTH. SNOWSTORMS AND RAIN. If comparative hardship lends spice to adventure a party of wapiti hunters in the Sounds district of Southland, of which Mr E. Barling, of Himatangi, was a member, spent an exceptionally adventurous time. The other members are residents of Invercargill, and together they spent an enjoyable, if arduous, three weeks in the hinterland of the south, where the bush is thickest, the rivers most numerous, and the peaks and saddles as difficult to scale a.s any in the Dominion. Contradicting any belief that wapiti are numerous, the party sighted only fifteen head, five beipg shot, of which one was an eleven-pointer. However, the hunters attributed their comparative ill-fortune to the exceptionally bad weather encountered. Mr Barling told an “Evening Standard” representative that only about 24 hours’ fine weather was experienced during the whole visit. In some parts snow lay tlu'ee feet deep in the open spaces, while almost continuous rain fell, leading to flooded rivers and creeks. From time to time exceptionally vivid electrical storms were experienced, while the cold was intense, especially at night. Each member of the party carried a 1001 b pack, and travelling proved difficult at times. Mr Barling stated that the majority of the time was spent in the country surrounding the north arm of Lake Te Ana.u, which extends from the main body of water for about nine miles. On the return journey across the lake the conditions were so stormy-—leading to the creation of big waves—that three attempts had to be made before the outboard motor craft could negotiate the hazardous passage. The wintry conditions somewhat militated against the enjoyment of the beautiful scenery in the vicinity of the Henry Saddle, but the visit proved most satisfying. It is understood that Mr J. Tvilinister, of Shannon, and Mr K. W. Dnlrympie, of Bulls, are at present in the Sounds district.