Sika deer roar looms

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 521, 1 February 1994, Page 16

Sika deer roar looms

A productive growing season in the Central North Island high country bodes well for a good sika deer roar this autumn according to Cam Speedy, a conservation officer responsible for animal management in the Tongariro Taupo Conservancy. "Good numbers of well conditioned deer have been taken from the Kaimanawa Ranges so far this summer," Mr Speedy said.

Mr Speedy said indications are that the autumn hunting season will be good and hunters wanting to renew their hunting permits for this period should indicate that a renewal is required when they return their spring/autumn hunting diary. The hunting diaries for spring/summer are due after 31 January 1994. Mr Speedy said the information on the diaries is invaluable and helps assess

the deer harvest over the growing season. Helicopter hunting As well as issuing hunting permits, from 1 February 1994 the Department's Turangi office will also be taking bookings for a series of helicopter accessed hunting blocks which are being especially opened for the roar. "These blocks are difficult to get to otherwise,"

said Cam Speedy. "By allowing helicopter access to these areas over the popular roar period, we not only get a greater hunting effort in these isolated catchments, but we also spread the pressure on more accessible sites," he said. Once again, the Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Deerstalkers association are running a Sika trophy competition. The competition was run

for the first time in 1993 and proved a success. "We' re fortunate that the event has considerable support from sponsors and there are some great prizes to be won," Mr Speedy said. Details of the competition will be included in all of the 3,500 hunting permits expected to be issued by the Department of Conservation between February and May this year.