VENISON DEMAND PROVIDES LUCRATIVE HOBBY FOR HUNTERS

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 45, 10 June 1965, Page 5

VENISON DEMAND PROVIDES LUCRATIVE

HOBBY FOR HUNTERS

Venison exported trom New Zealand last year earned something in the vicinity of £300,000. For those with the time to spare deer stalking is a very profitable business, according to local enthusiasts.

The meat of the deer, ; venison, is frozen and shipped to West Germany and the United States, where it is in great demand. Often the skins are processed in New Zealand, and antlers (in velvet) and the tails are sent to China where, according to rumours, they provide the new material for many weird and wonderful products. Hunting visitors to the j j deer districts— Taupo, Roto- ; ! rua, Tarawera, etc. — are definitely unwanted. Whereas a few years ago deer shooters were quite welcome, and the deer were just shot and left lying where they fell, the locals at last have recognised their poteaitial, and | have acted accordingly. Men go spotlight shooting by night to supplement in- | comes, and make it quite | plain that visiting shooters are not wanted. They fear j that the more shooters there are in the district. the further

the deer will retreat back into the bush. Over 1000 deer were; shot and sold in the Tarawera district alone last year. And the reason for all this extra - curricular activity ? | Hunters are paid 2/6 a pound for venison, a higher price than the schedule rate for meat sold by farmers. With a good beast bringing £20, shooters are believed to be making £70 for two days' work. Deer, when shot, are dressed and handeid in to the local collecting agents, e.g., the Tarawera Hotel, which pays 2s 6d per pound for the venison. To a large extent, condltion of the meat is immaterial, a bonus of 30/- per beast being paid for a head or neck shot, while the tail fetches 2s 6d. In the timner country, seasonal workers spend several months of the year dwelling in huts and living off profits from an oceasional de-er sortie. After bagging a deer or two, the beasts are sold. and the hunters return well equipped to stand a siege until the bush calls again. Commercial shooters are widening their range in the Kaimanawas by using helicopters. They work more or less on a eontract basis, receiving 9d per pound for the meat. Many local shooters ride horses into the bush, and pack venison out.

, The shooters believe that J Government use of deer culleirs, particularly in the North Island, is merely a waste of money. The need for | deer-culling has disappeared, the work of the professional culler having beeoi taken over by the commercial shooter and weekend sportsman.