DEER STALKING

Southland Times, Issue 21090, 23 May 1930, Page 9

DEER STALKING

REVIEW OF SEASON.

AN EXCEPTIONAL HEAD.

Now that the deer stalkers have put fiway their rifles until next year a review of the season should prove of interest. As 'far -as the number of stalkers is concerned the season constituted a record. A larger area than usual was covered by the many parties that were out, but it cannot be said that the number and quality ,of the heads obtained were/in keeping with the number—and the quality—of the stalkers. It is true that one or two fine heads were brought out, but a great many sportsmen suffered disappointment. A lot of virgin country was stalked this year and, although it was anticipated that fine heads would be obtained in these blocks, in most cases the deer were surprisingly scarce. The results of Messrs C. Clark and Sutton Gardner’s expedition into the Princess Mountains were eagerly awaited, for this fresh country was expected to yield a rich harvest of heads, and many were envious of these stalkers’ good fortune, in drawing the block. As the result of the trip, however, it has to be concluded that these ranges contain comparatively few deer. Messrs W. Hamilton and C. Goodall, who tried their luck in reputedly excellent country at the head of the Borland, also reported that the deer were far from plentiful. What is regarded as a super-head for Southland was obtained by Messrs Guthrie Brothers and G. Scandrett in the ranges at the head of Monowai north of Electric River. This head is a twelve-pointer which is reported to be over 40in in spread and 40in in length. This block may well prove a favourite in future. Mr J. S. Anderson, a Melbourne sportsman, was delighted with the stalking provided at Hauroko. Mr lan Talbot’s party from Ohai were unfortunate enough to get no good heads from Titiroa, which is regarded as very fine country. The deer were plentiful enough, but good heads were very rare. Taking all reports into consideration it would appear that the deer are now most numerous on the Billow Mountains, which lie between Monowai and Hauroko. A large number of parties tried their luck at Stewart Island, and on Easter Saturday there was a regular army of etalkers preparing to set out at the Freshwater River. The results, however, were disappointing, the deer evidently having been subjected to a good deal of shooting from Islanders and tourists and having retreated to the dense bush. The best head at the Island was obtained by Mr N. Cavanagh, of Pukemaori. He secured a nice 12pointer. It is evident that stalkers will soon have to look for fresh fields, and it. is probable that part of the Takitimos will be exploited, for there are reported to be plenty of deer in this range. Deer are also increasing in the Five Rivers district. Wakatipu may also become a favoured locality. Mr J. Woods tried his luck in the Routeburn this season and was rewarded with a beautifully shaped 17pointer. The wapiti season was not a very good one, only one head being secured. Messrs Dalrymple and Olsen had no luck at Te Anau, though they saw plenty of wapiti tracks. Mr Olsen later made a solo trip up the North Arm and picked up the very fair head of a bull which had apparently died. George Sound was not stalked this season. At the Lugerburn, near the head of the North Arm of Te Anau, Messrs Colquhoun brothers sighted only three wapiti. The Nitz Brothers were at Caswell Sound and saw a fair number of young bulls and cows. They obtained one head. From the reports of the last two years it. would seem that Caswell is the home of the Wapiti just now. Mr E. J. Herricks again went after moose in Dusky Sound. Though he spent a month there he had no luck. Signs of moose were observed, but. the animals could not be. located. The dense bush and bad weather made matters very hard for him.