Tongariro Forest goat shoot soon

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 401, 27 August 1991, Page 2

Tongariro Forest goat shoot soon

A goat shoot organised by the Taumarunui Rod, Rifle and Gun Club in consultation with the Department of Conservation will be held this Sunday, 1 September. Club members and interested hunters should meet at Owhango near National Park between 7am and 8am on Sunday

morning. The meeting place will be well sign posted en route to Owhango on SH 1. Department of Conservation staff will be on site to issue hunting permits. Club organiser Eric Dodd said that for ease of access it would be advisable for hunters to have their own motorcycle or four wheeler transport.

The Sporting Life Cup for the biggest billy goat will again be presented and several $25 vouchers sponsored by the Department of Conservation will also be awarded throughout the day. In previous years the goat shoot has provided an excellent learning experience for young hunters. It is hoped that by controlling the impact of goats on parts of the Tongariro Forest with high conservation values such as the Taurewa, Otamawairua, Whakapapa and Piopiotea ecological areas, damage caused by goats can be minimised. "While the Tongariro Forest isn't overrun with goats, there are pockets of them in certain areas," Mr Dodd said. Goats, propcrly controlled and tethcred can control noxious weeds, but in the wild the animal also devours native vegetation. Thcse eating habits, which frequently cause the eventual death of trees by ring barking, can modify the existing structure of a forest producing erosion and scarring of the landscape. In 1990 a similar joint venture saw more that 100 goats destroyed.