Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 28, 2005 19:36:15 GMT 12
Can you guess when the first aerial deer recovery took place in New Zealand? I'm sure some would think of the 1960's when Sir Tim Wallis and his fellow "Chopper Boys" began thier deer recovery operations from helicopters.
Wrong - it was in fact in March 1934!
Here's an article I found in the Waikato Independent newspaper dated the 22nd of March 1934
STALKING BY AIR
Modern Hunt'ers Way In Otago
Airmen Secure 15 Pointer
It may be suggested that the trials, tribulations and hardships suffered by deer-stalkers are now things of the past. A tremendous advance has been made in the modernising of this sport belonging to the man with active limbs, keen eyes, and the desire to kill.
The episode which created this new method of deer-stlking occurred last week, when two sportsmen, Messrs D. Whitaker and J. Robertson, left Oamaru by aeroplane and reached Wanaka in time for morning tea, after which a start was made for the headwaters of the Arawata River, situated on the West Coast.
On the return trip the deer-stalkers noticed a fine stag parading about quite close to the Mount Aspiring homestead. An excellent landing was made, a quick kill was executed by Mr Robertson, and then the head, a beautiful 15-pointer, was whipped off, a hind-quarter dissected, and the lot placed in the aeroplane.
Shortly afterwards the residents of Wanaka were astounded to see the two aviators arrive back with the gory trophies of the first aeroplane deer-stalking trip.
The events of the day go to show how most things belonging to the back country are being brought into line with the standard set by the present day.
Wrong - it was in fact in March 1934!
Here's an article I found in the Waikato Independent newspaper dated the 22nd of March 1934
STALKING BY AIR
Modern Hunt'ers Way In Otago
Airmen Secure 15 Pointer
It may be suggested that the trials, tribulations and hardships suffered by deer-stalkers are now things of the past. A tremendous advance has been made in the modernising of this sport belonging to the man with active limbs, keen eyes, and the desire to kill.
The episode which created this new method of deer-stlking occurred last week, when two sportsmen, Messrs D. Whitaker and J. Robertson, left Oamaru by aeroplane and reached Wanaka in time for morning tea, after which a start was made for the headwaters of the Arawata River, situated on the West Coast.
On the return trip the deer-stalkers noticed a fine stag parading about quite close to the Mount Aspiring homestead. An excellent landing was made, a quick kill was executed by Mr Robertson, and then the head, a beautiful 15-pointer, was whipped off, a hind-quarter dissected, and the lot placed in the aeroplane.
Shortly afterwards the residents of Wanaka were astounded to see the two aviators arrive back with the gory trophies of the first aeroplane deer-stalking trip.
The events of the day go to show how most things belonging to the back country are being brought into line with the standard set by the present day.
