CMS Input - Time is running out

Wellington region

We have put together some info that could be used for commenting on the new CMS

It wont take much time to complete the survey,

its very clear that DOC will use the CMS for future WARO and game management policies.
have your say or don't moan later on

below is some examples of what you could put into the DOC online survey

its targeted at Lower North Island areas, but the could be used anywhere

There are Several things you can do and it need not take you long ! - write to the Ministers (Dunne and Barry) and have a say in the CMS survey

To help avoid future attacks upon us  is that DOC are currently running the early stages of the Wellington-Manawatu Conservation Management Strategy review (CMS) but it will close off very soon. The CMS effectively sets the rules for what can and can't happen in land areas. They are seeking views on what is important to people. Get involved via their website and share your constructive views(be quick please as it will close soon). There is a quick to fill out on line survey (The survey link    http://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/have-your-say/all-consultations/2015/welling.... )

and we have some suggested comments to the survey headings which you may choose to use, e.g.

What do you want this place to be like in 10 years’ time?

I/we want to see

-game animals managed for recreational hunting and not just a source of income for commercial WARO operators

-the quality of deer improved through selective harvesting of animals to improve trophy and meat hunting by recreational hunters.

-the huts and tracks that exist within the forest parks are maintained in a good condition to support recreational hunting and trampers.



-How do you think this could be achieved?

-Reinstate the restrictions on WARO concessions in the Tararua, Ruahine and Rimutaka ranges

-Restrict commercial WARO deer recovery to the winter months only with both the Ruahine and Tararua Forest parks (no WARO from 1 October to 30 may)

-Introduce restrictions on numbers of WARO concessions and introduce

-The Ruahine deer should be given the status of “a herd of special interest” which would allow them to be managed by the Game Animal Council (GAC) in place of mis-managed by DOC.

-DOC in the region should stop making decisions that effect hunters and consult adequately.  They should adopt the Partnership policy of DOC and actually try to honestly work in partnership to achieve mutually beneficial aims.



-Any comments on regional conservation issues?

All hunters recognize the need for WARO to help keep control of some game populations.

In the Forest parks and reserves in the region deer are not the threat that they once may have been and the harvest by recreational hunters is generally adequate to prevent population explosions.

The forests in the ranges are in good condition after the collapse of the deer populations in the 1930s. The forests have modified to the extent that they are unlikely to ever return to their original state and it is a waste of resources for DOC to try. Many plant species palatable to deer are no prolific and research has shown that deer browse is no more significant within areas that are free of any commercial deer control than in similar places elsewhere where WARO deer control is encouraged by DOC.

-DoC should increase the monitoring of vegetation and deer densities so that decisions can be based on sound evidence and not conjecture by Department staff as is occurring at present



We need to swamp them with people wanting less helicopters hunting in our hills.

Thanks