Ash affects hunting

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 610, 31 October 1995, Page 3

Ash affects hunting

Hunters visiting the Kaimanawa Ranges over the next month can expect to find some impacts as a result of the recent volcanic activity on Mount Ruapehu according to the Department of Conservation's Turangi Office. A layer of volcanic ash covers the forests of the western Kaimanawa Forest Park, particularly in the upper T ongariro and Waipakihi Valley areas. Kiko Road and the Tauranga/ Taupo catchments also have significant coverings of ash in forest understoreys. "Hunters can expect to find hunting conditions quite unpleasant in these areas," said Cam Speedy, senior conservation officer responsible for wild animal management at Turangi. Mr Speedy also said at least seven dead deer had been found by staff and other hunters in the past week. From the limited investigations made by Department staff to date, it appears that some deer have ingested enough ash, presumably through eating ash-covered plant material, for the ash to have physically disrupted their ruminant digestive system. Numerous live deer are still being sighted in all areas and hunters can be reasonably confident that any meat taken from such areas is still suitable for eating. "It is unlikely that the ash would have had any toxic chemical effect and the deaths appear to be more related to the physical presence of the ash in the gut," said Tongariro/ Taupo Conservancy advisory scientist, Dr Harry Keys. Other specialists are being consulted to confirm these suspicions. Dr Keys said there was no documented evidence of such deaths following volcanic eruptions any where in the world, although stock deaths had been recorded as a result of other toxic effects of volcanic and geothermal activity both in New Zealand and overseas in the past. Further east in the Clements Road, upper Mohaka and Kaweka areas, the ash has had far less effect and while the forests have a strong volcanic smell, the department says hunting conditions will be closer to normal in these areas. Hunters are advised to carry plenty of rifle cleaning equipment as the ash has a corrosive effect on metal, even where the ash covering is light. Water supplies are still disconnected from all huts. However, all streams in the Kaimanawa area are now clean enough for drinking.