Concerns over an explosion of wild deer in South Westland have been raised at a West Coast Conservation Board meeting in Okarito.<\/p>\n
One board member yesterday described it as “the worst it’s ever been in South Westland”. The board called on more public help in controlling deer numbers.<\/p>\n
Department of Conservation wild animals manager Mike Perry told the board discussions were ongoing around a national deer plan.<\/p>\n
Ngai Tahu board member Rob Wilson raised the issue of increasing complaints around the deer population, and said the public should have a say in how animal numbers can be controlled.<\/p>\n
“There is a huge public interest in controlling deer numbers. The deer numbers are going up and everybody’s complaining about it, but I think there is an obligation to involve the public,” Mr Wilson said.<\/p>\n
He also questioned how Doc would organise funding for the deer plan.<\/p>\n
“How is it going to be funded? Where is the money going to come from? Is there going to be enough money to deal with it?”<\/p>\n
Board member Barry Wards asked if there was any plan in the pipeline for controlling the deer population in South Westland in the near future.<\/p>\n
“No, is the short answer,” Mr Perry said.<\/p>\n
Mr Wilson slammed his response, saying he had not seen deer numbers this bad before. He asked what was needed for Doc to get more funding to respond to the problem.<\/p>\n
“Everyone, including the ministers, are aware of the issue,” Mr Perry said.<\/p>\n
“I don’t have a straight answer for you because it’s a complex issue … we need a solution. No one knows quite what that is, whether it’s commercial, recreational, government funding, or a combination of all those. That is literally what we are trying to work through at the moment.”<\/p>\n
Mr Wilson later told LDR the increasing deer population can impact farm pasture.<\/p>\n
“The first thing I think about that are on the edges of the national parks, especially with the deer coming out and eating crops and eating grass where there could be cattle.”<\/p>\n
Some farmers were also wary of hunters in South Westland, and that the area might be flooded with hunters once they hear about wild deer populations.<\/p>\n
Paringa farmer Ben Monk said aerial hunting of deer would be more efficient, as ground hunting can ultimately become a safety issue.<\/p>\n
– By\u00a0Vihan Dalal, Local Democracy reporter\u00a0<\/p>\n
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