Front and back country cull to start in May

Nelson City Council, Ngāti Koata and Tasman Pine Forests Ltd (TPFL) have contracted a team of professional hunters, Trap and Trigger Ltd, to carry out a cull of wild goats, pigs and deer across front and back country reserves this autumn.

Starting from May 15 and lasting until June 4, the hunting operation will take place in Atmore Reserve, Tantragee Reserve, Brook Conservation Reserve, Eureka Park, Fringed Hill, Codgers, Marsden Valley Reserve, Maitai Water Reserve, Roding Water Reserve and Ngāti Koata whenua on Fringed Hill and Codgers.

With some exceptions, these reserves and areas will need to be closed to the public for this period.  

Front country reserves (Atmore, Tantragee, Brook, Eureka and Marsden Valley) and Ngāti Koata whenua will be open to all users during the weekends, from midnight Fridays till midnight Sundays.  

Back country reserves (Maitai and Roding) will be closed for the entire period. However, the Coppermine Trail will be open on the weekends.   

Warning signs and/or barriers will be in place at entry points for each reserve.

Group Manager Community Services Andrew White says Council is responsible for control of animals that have an impact on our environment, tracks and reserves. 

“Last year’s front country cull successfully reduced the numbers of pigs, deer and goats to a point that this year’s cull will be completed in three weeks rather than four."

The back country cull has been carried out for the last four years, which helps the forest to regenerate, this is usually carried out in September but was postponed due to the August rain event recovery. 

However, Council has received many reports of groups of deer and pigs near tracks and households, which indicate that the numbers have increased to a level where a cull is required.

Meat will be retrieved from the hunt in conjunction with Ngāti Koata as it was last year. Hunters from the iwi will work alongside Trap and Trigger Ltd to retrieve carcasses that are easily accessible.