22 November 2009
This submission is by the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA). NZDA is the national body of recreational deerstalkers and other big game hunters. We have 52 branches and a number of hunting clubs throughout New Zealand. We have 7800 members, and have been actively advocating for deerstalking and recreational hunting, and running deerstalker training courses, trips, conferences etc since 1937. NZDA also maintains the ethical side of hunting by maintaining ethics for hunting, including fair chase, and strongly encouraging harvesting of animals taken.
There are a significant number of NZDA branches who can hunt in the South Canterbury area, including: North Canterbury (Christchurch), Malvern, Ashburton, South Canterbury, Southern Lakes, who would be interested in hunting this area should it be allowed to carry big game.
Summary of the NZDA submission:
NZDA supports the Proposal, and is especially appreciative of the land in CA1 surrendered along SH8, and the large area of mountainland to over 1900 metres at the south of the Two Thumb Range.
These surrendered lands give recreational hunters opportunities to hunt in a typical rainshadow dryland environment, with outstanding scenic views over the Mackenzie Country and Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, with the background of the high peaks of the Southern Alps. They also give access across this surrendered land to further areas of the Two Thumb Range. Provided these areas are unavailable to Wild Animal Recovery helicopter (WARO) operators, there will be some deer and possibly chamois and tahr available to hunt, either in this area, or further north in the Range, should this land be surrendered similarly.
The Proposal:
Holbrook pastoral lease is situated on the north side of Burke’s Pass, the entrance to the Mackenzie Country (SH8), on the northern side of SH8. The three leases Glenrock, Rollesby and Holbrook are adjacent, (south to north) across Burke’s Pass.
Holbrook (7,186 Ha) is proposed to have
CA1 (3,973 Ha) restored to the Crown as conservation area. This block includes the upper reaches of Sawdon Stream, including peaks Mt Edward (1916m) and Mt Maude (1797m) and a small part of the upper tributary of Dead Man’s Stream. This is the southern part of the Two Thumb Range, so this surrender will allow public access to this range in future. Most land surrendered is above 900m.
The southern part of CA1 is on the SE side of the Range, and extends down to SH8 at Burke’s Pass, so allowing hunter access to the land direct from SH8. This will give hunters the opportunity to experience these landscapes at this entrance to the Mackenzie Country, and to hunt the areas at the back of this block.
Public Access to CA1: The access e-f from SH8 near the Holbrook homestead, along the Sawdon Ck valley is appreciated. It provides a flattish walk/cycle to the back of the farm, giving non-motorised access to the back block.
Conclusion:
NZDA strongly supports the surrender of CA1 and the proposed public accesses. It provides ready hunter access to the tops of the southern end of the two Thumb Range. It will provide high quality landscape views across the Mackenzie Basin.
Yours truly
Hugh Barr
NZDA National Advocate
© 2011 New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association