Hunting on whitetail deer on Stewart Island is an especially memorable hunting experience according to a survey by the Game Animal Council.
Comments from submitters included ones expressing this.
“It’s a unique environment I wouldn’t visit if the whitetail deer weren’t there.”
“It is the pinnacle of bush hunting. Amazing place to experience overall but the hunting and
the whitetail deer are a very special highlight of a visit to the island. I would never have gone
there if there wasn’t whitetail.”
“Whitetail hunting is probably the most cherished hunting I do. I have recently completed
my 17th trip to the island and I am still just as addicted to chasing the grey ghost as ever.
I have lived on Rakiura since 1943. Whitetail Deer are part of my life. They are part of our
meat supply here for our Whanau. They should not be classed as a pest.”
“Ensure whitetail deer are not subjected to poisoning or other methods that clearly have the goal of extermination.”
Of the hunters 60 percent were from the South Island, 38 percent from the North Island and almost 2 percent from overseas.
Fortyone percent have hunted six or more times on the island.
“This indicates that the Stewart Island/Rakiura white-tailed hunting experience is of national (and some international) significance,” said the Game Animal Council.
Results from the survey illustrate the popularity and value to the hunting community of white tail deer hunting on the island, said the council.
Footnote: For full report see: https://www.deerstalkers.org.nz/resources/publications/news/valuing-white-tailed-deer-on-stewart-islandrakiura/
The survey was undertaken in June 2023 and sent to a wide range of hunters and hunting stakeholders.
