Deer survey returns poor in Waimarino

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 241, 26 April 1988, Page 4

Deer survey returns poor in Waimarino

By

susannah

Walker

Hunters in the Ohakune district are responding poorly to a national survey to determine whether the red deer population is increasing. They have been asked by circular to supply the lower right jaw of each red deer they shoot, but conservation officer Mr John Luff says the response "has not been good." "It seems that Ohakune is the only part of the Tongariro National Park where the return of deer jaws is minimal. "Areas such as Whakapapa and Turangi seem to be getting a reasonable response." Boxes have been provided for the jaws to be deposited at Horopito,

Turangi, Ohakune Mountain Road and near National Park township. Mr Luff estimates only one of about 200 hunters in the Ohakune area is regularly putting jaws in the boxes. He says the removal of a jaw should take only "about five minutes," so wonders if hunters are just being apathetic. The jaws ffre sent to forestry researchers in Palmerston North. There, the length of the jaw, number of growth rings on the teeth and bone marrow samples are analysed. The results are used to determine Ihe size, age and condition of the deer. Mr Luff says more cooperation from hunters around Ohakune is needed.