GERMAN DEER FORESTS IN WAR TIME.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 229, 24 November 1916, Page 8 (Supplement)

GERMAN DEER FORESTS IN WAR TIME.

The biggest heads and the best sport were to be obtained in German and Austro-Hungarian deer-forests in prewar days. No news, however, has transpired about deer-stalking in these countries since the season of 1913 till the other day, when the princely owner of a forest near Potsdam fell under the grave displeasure of the Kaiser. It may be mentioned that herds of _ red deer in absolutely natural conditions do not exist in Germany; in AustriaHungary it is otherwise, particularly in the Carpathian Mountains. There, 'n most cases, however severe the winters may be, there is no artificial feeding: the weaklings arc allowed to succumb, and only the strong and healthy survive. "Pleasure as formerly" seems f) have been the motto of Prince Frederick Leopold of Prussia, a cousin of the Kaiser His artificial forest near Pots, dam includes not only red deer, but wild boars, and. as the enclosing fences were not kept in good order, the animals frequently broke out, much to the damage of the neighbouring farmers' and crofters' crops. Naturally, they complained, and the local authorities backed up their complaints, but .n vain; the princely owner tinned a deaf ear to all suggestions of renewing his fences. At last certain newspapers ventured to take up the matter, and question the patriotism even of a Prince of the House of Hohenzollern who should be a party to lessening the food of the people at such critical time. Til the result tho Kaiser not only severely reprimanded his cousin, but publicly intimated thai he had done so.