In the early 70’s many were captured from their feral range and farmed.
By1990 the industry was thriving. Through selective breeding and imported stock
some magnificent animals are developing which have antlers 45” plus
with
large body size. Native to Europe, Red Deer were first introduced into
New Zealand in 1851,
There were many releases and very soon Deer were wide
spread throughout both North and South Islands. Of the 8 species of Deer in New
Zealand, the Red Deer is the most common. The Red Stag is the most favored
quarry of the hundreds of overseas Hunters who regularly visit our shores. The
Stag can be hunted from late February through to the end of August. March and
April are the most exciting months as this is when the 'rut' is on. The 'roar'
of a Stag at this time is enough to excite even the most experienced Hunter. In
year 2002 it takes local knowledge or a good guide to get a Feral wild Red Deer,
as they have been hunted so much by New Zealand Hunters and poisoned by with
1080 by D.O.C (Department of Conservation New zealand who call them
pests!)
Chamois were brought into New Zealand in
15thMarch,1907 , after Captain Donne met the Commander of the Austrian Warship
'Panther' while in Wellington,
He spoke to the Emperor of Austria
'Franz-Joseph' who rounded some up and sent them over.
They were released in
the Mt Cook Area and are now spread through most of the Southern Alps of New
Zealand.
Standing about 2 ft 6 inches at the shoulders ,with a length Of four
or five feet, a fully grown buck may weigh up to 80lb
.They are equipped
with broad hard rimmed hooves with a rubbery heel . Horns grow 9 to11 inches ,
with the bucks having thicker horns . In the Summer the coat is yellow-fawn and
in the winter blackish with silver tips on the hair along the backbone . Native
of central and southern Europe, the Chamois is one
of the most graceful game
animals to be found in New Zealand. They are now to be found throughout the
mountain ranges of the South Island. Of the Antelope family the Chamois has
exceptional eyesight and ability to
run effortlessly in the roughest terrain.
Both the Buck and the Doe have horns but the Doe's horns are normally thinner.
The Chamois like the Tahr can be hunted year round but the most popular time is
from April through
to August when they are jet black in color. During the
mating season (April-May) the buck becomes quite aggressive and intolerant of
younger males and drives them off emitting a whistle sound as a warning.
In
year 2002 it takes local knowledge or a good guide to get a Feral wild Chamois,
as they have been hunted so much by New Zealand foot Hunters, Helicopter capture
operators and helicopter gunships.
The Duke of Bedford ,Woburn , England presented the New Zealand
Government with six Tahr in 1904. These were liberated in the Mt Cook Area of
New Zealand. Tahr inhabit high rough country up to 8500 feet in New Zealand .
Reaching a height of 40 inches at the shoulders the
Bulls may weigh over
200lb . Bulls have long hair up to 12 inches around their shoulder and neck
section which they can make stand upright to give the visual effect of doubling
their size . The Mane is a light cream color
with the back section blackish
4inch to 6 inch hair .Bulls can grow horns up to 14 inches Plus . The Females
Coats are Greyish color in the winter with horns to eight inches .The legs are
heavily built to with stand the
sudden stresses of vertical drops of perhaps
25 feet , with the hooves designed to give efficiency on rock and ice surfaces .
These hooves are blunt and stubby , hollowed somewhat in the middle , with hard
rims running around the outside . The Heel part is much softer and acts like a
pad. They also have well developed dew claws which they use for additional grip
whenever possible . Perhaps not as agile as the Chamois , the Tahr is a far more
accomplished mountaineer , and can negotiate the most formidable looking cliffs
and frozen slopes with apparently effortless ease
so long as there is a hold
for the hooves . Originally from the Himalayan mountains, these
magnificent mountain goat
s were liberated in New Zealand's Southern Alps in
1904. Although both sexes have horns, those of the bull are longer and heavier
than the nannies. Bull has Lion like mane that often exceeds over a foot in
length. Despite their size and relatively short legs the Bull is an extremely
agile animal that can bound down through the steepest of bluff systems with
their hooves barely touching the rock faces. Normally solitary animals the Bulls
move into the nanny groups in early May. This is the most exciting time to Hunt
the King of the Mountains, as to see
a mature Bull in full rut, standing on a
ridge with the wind blowing through his Mane is the ultimate alpine hunting
experience.
November - December 2002: The Department of Conservation
(Government paid Servants.)in New Zealand is currently targeting and shooting
Tahr from helicopters, with semi automatic weapons. This is happening Now! The
many hundreds of animals are left to rot where they are shot. They are
destroying what is left of this valuable asset to New Zealand. Nannies, Bulls,
Kids, no exceptions. Let us hope when a different Government is voted in by the
New Zealand people, this appalling situation can be rectified. Some persons in
D.O.C have infiltrated some policies into D.O.C Land and National Park agenda's
, so that they can have New Zealand as they personally would like it. Persons in
Goverment giving the OK for these rules to be implimented, believe D.O.C should
know what they are doing, so it has been a mere formality for D.O.C to make it
happen! ) At the moment D.O.C has been allocated millions of dollars of the New
Zealand Tax payers money by it's present government, which they (D.O.C) are
proceeding to spend at a very fast rate, while they have the latest Govt's
approval. (Not the local opinion around here.) It is interesting that the
opposition to this happening comes from the people that live in these areas.
Does this tell you something.
Originally from Manchuria and Japan. Sika of New
Zealand were obtained from the Duke of Bedford , Woburn Park England and
introduced in 1905 at Poronui Station in the Kaimanawa Ranges .The Sika probably
contain both Manchurian (Cervus Nippon Mantchuricus ) and Japanese Bloodlines (
Cervus Nippon Nippon , Cervus Nippon hortulorum, and (Cervus Nippon Centralis )
. In the Central North Island ,they Range from Tongariro National Park Northern
Ruahine Range ,Kaingaroa State Forest, Maungaharuru Range and are slowly
spreading .
They are an extremely pretty deer with eight to ten point antlers
, a good set would measure between 28” to 32””.
Standing about 35” at the
shoulder , in the Summer the coat is an attractive rich red-brown which is
covered with white or creamy spots.
Contact Clive Seddon at: Staveley, No1 RD Asburton NEW ZEALAND.
Phone: 64 3 3030775
Mobile: 021 2164 222 or 027 626 75 26 Website: http://www.wildlifesculptures.co.nz/
