Goat numbers down in Tongariro Forest

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 626, 5 March 1996, Page 11

Goat numbers down in Tongariro Forest

A small but enthusiastic group of 14 hunters participated in this year' s goat hunt in the Tongariro Forest area recently. The event had been postponed from November due to bad weather, but conditions were ideal

on the day with a cool night temperature, a heavy dew and fine weather. Most hunters went out in pairs with younger hunters. All groups shot goats, one deer was shot and several seen and, overall, 35 goats.

Each group won a prize, donated by the Department of Conservation. The trophy for the largest head went to Barry Dodd. The party with the largest tally was Darryl Brown, Terrance Brown and Norm Bennett. The shoot is sponsored by DoC as part of the goat control programme for the Forest. The goat control operation also involves a contract hunter with dogs, staff ground hunting and an annual helicopter shoot. Goat numbers are now rapidly decreasing with reports from hunters of significant vegetation regeneration on slips and steep slopes. The absence of goats also enhances deer hunting as deer tend to avoid areas where goats are present. The shoot will be run again in November, said DoC officer Dave Rothschild.