Sika and you will find

By Dan Hutchinson

Pippa, Harper and Annabelle have the call of the wild.

A hunting contest with more than $80,000 in prizes has been launched to help reduce the sika deer population in the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forests.

The population of sika in the two forests is the first to be proposed as a Herd of Special Interest, with Minister of Hunting & Fishing James Meager beginning the consultation process in April this year.

The goal is to protect the natural biodiversity of the whenua/land by actively managing the over-abundance of deer in the area, while also acknowledging the recreational and food resource provided by the animals.

The Sika Foundation, in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and the Game Animal Council, has carried out extensive research in the forests over the past three years.

It found that in areas easily accessible by hunters, the natural biodiversity was in much better shape, and deer were healthier because of lower numbers.

Outdoor clothing company Stoney Creek – through the Our Backyard Trust - has now waded into effort to get numbers down, teaming up with the Sika Foundation and Helisika to organise the Sika Hind Hunt, running from October 1 - November 15.

Stoney Creek chief marketing officer Brendon Li says the sika venison herd in the central plateau is a “prime organic resource”.

“And if we can encourage a few more hunters to get out into the hills and fill the freezer and put some nice, tasty venison on the barbecue, all the better.”

He says the onus is on hunters to help manage the deer population because it can get “overabundant” at times which has a negative effect on the environment and the health of the herd.

Stoney Creek chief marketing officer Brendon Li has some success out hunting in the central plateau.

“Us hunters, we've all grown up wanting to be in a position to maybe tip over a big eight-point stag one day.”

The only way to ensure the animals are “nice and fat and healthy” is to keep the numbers to a sustainable level, he says.

The contest has a range of categories for hunters who shoot hinds, with prize packages of up to $8500, and a total prize pool of $80,000, which Brendon hopes to increase each year as more sponsors come on board.

There are also non-hunting categories including a ‘Best Live Stag Photo’ contest and activities for children, like a colouring contest and spot prizes.

Brendon says they are also planning a trout fishing contest soon with the same goal; to help reduce the number of trout in the lake to make the fish stocks bigger and healthier.

Putting food on the table

The value of wild game as a food resource shouldn’t be underestimated, says Brendon.

“I think everyone's freezers could benefit, especially in these tough times with a bit of healthy, organic mince or sausages or steaks. I'm pretty fortunate that I can keep my freezer relatively full at times and feed my tribe.”

He says there are lots of people out there who are struggling to feed their families and there are others out there helping them, like the Sika Foundation with its community initiatives and the likes of Farm and Gates Meats that helps process meat for the community.

“I think it's pretty inspiring when you do talk to a fellow hunter and that they are providing for their community.

“If we can encourage a few more hunters to get out into the hills and fill the freezer and put some nice, tasty venison on the barbecue, all the better.”

The event will culminate in a community barbecue and prize giving event on November 22.

He says a lot of hunters got into it when they were kids because a parent or uncle or aunty took them out “shooting rabbits or chasing deer”.

“Unfortunately, some of those opportunities just aren't there for today's younger generation.

“So, I know me personally as a father and I know many people in Stoney Creek and some of the organisations we deal with, they do feel that responsibility to give back and pass on that knowledge and that passion.

“If we can help the health of the environment and the herd and if we can help fill a few people's freezers and value the benefit and resource. And then thirdly, if we can inspire the next generation, that will feel like we've done our bit, you know.”

Wildlife biologist and Sika Foundation spokesperson Cam Speedy said back in April they were looking forward to engaging with Mana Whenua that are directly connected to the Kaupapa/project and the public consultation process around the Sika Herd Management Plan. 

He says an over-abundance of deer is increasing across New Zealand, due to a lack of active management.

In areas where Sika have not been actively managed, significant habitat degradation is observed as well as poor deer condition, reproductive performance and antler quality.

Sika Foundation iwi liaison representative Tom Loughlin said the adoption of a Sika HOSI Management Plan will hopefully encourage a collective Sika management approach by recognising and providing for a range of values – especially cultural values held by Mana Whenua, conservation, community and recreation.