8 Jan 2021

Stalking the hills - the history of deer cullers

From Summer Times, 9:38 am on 8 January 2021
No caption

Photo: Supplied

In the 1930s deer that had been introduced into New Zealand were declared a noxious pest. 

Originally brought over by colonists for trophy hunting - the animals were believed to be responsible for soil and land erosion. 

Thus began the era of the deer cullers, who before helicopters were used, roamed the high hills of the country shooting deer. 

Paul Roy used to come across them when he was a tramper and mountaineer. 

He's now telling their story through an oral history project.