Hunters Congratulate Conservation Minister

Hunters Congratulate Conservation Minister

“We Congratulate Conservation Minister, Hon Chris Carter on his enlightened view about the place of deer in New Zealand” said Garry Ottmann, Executive Director of the Game and Forest Foundation.

The fact is, that whether you want to hunt them for food or just watch them out in the bush and mountains, people like deer.

‘The Minister’s acceptance during a TV3 program that it is neither possible nor desirable to remove deer completely is consistent with what the bulk of New Zealand believes what they want for public conservation land” said Garry Ottmann.

Deer numbers have been drastically reduced in recent decades and we fully support the need for deer to be controlled where necessary. We want to work with the Minister and the Department of Conservation in a constructive manner and take up his offer to assist in the management of valued introduced species such as deer.

The open and inclusive approach taken by Chris Carter is in stark contrast to his predecessor and we are delighted that we can start to build on the good relationships that hunters and other members of the public have with local DOC staff and the Minister.

“For long-term conservation we all need to be heading in the same direction and that is what hunters are striving for” said Garry Ottmann.

Game & Forest is an independent non-profit foundation representing New Zealanders who value our game and forests. Game & Forest promotes sustainable management of game animals as a valuable economic, social, cultural and conservation resource. Ends

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