Deer close to home

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 20, 13 October 1987, Page 16

Deer close to home

A fiesty deer that appeared suddenly out of the bush surrounding the Mangawhero Domain, then stood in the road and "glared" defiantly at the hcadlights of an oncoming vehicle, surprised both the driver and the conservation officers at the Ohakune " Ranger Station.

Ohakune resident Jacyn Bramley was in the area after dark on Saturday evening when the deer appeared, "apparently from nowhere" and was about three-quarters in view. The stunned Jacyn was able to swerve the vehicle to avoid hitting the animal. "It was quite a surprise to see it just standing there," he said. "I only saw if for a split second before I swerved to avoid it. When I next looked, it had gone." Jacyn said he was unable to determine whether it was a doe or an antlered stag, but described it as being "quite big" and "a wild sort of brown" colour. Senior Conservation Officer based in Ohakune Lisle Irwin, said it was unusual to see deer that close to the road and human habitation. Mr Irwin said several sightings of deer further up the mountain had been made this year, while this was the first to his knowledge in the vicinity of the Mangawhero Domain.