Over 150 years ago Red Deer were imported into New Zealand and released into the forests. Due to the non-existence of natural predators the environment was perfect, and led to a population explosion. As a result of the population increase, wide spread damage to vegetation became apparent. Therefore the New Zealand government in order to solve the problem, began paying "deer-cullers" a bounty per deer tail in their attempt to control the population. This solution failed.
During the 1960´s Germany began to purchase the exported deer meat - venison, and the deer hunting industry sprang into life. The market developed rapidly and within a few years a suitable price was paid for the venison and it was then marketed under the label of Cervena. This generated an industry of commercial deer hunting in New Zealand.
Horses and jet boats were used to transport deer back to game depots for sale. The typical kiwi bloke and a do-it-yourself way of life created and developed the industry.
The next stage of development was to introduce the helicopter which was used for carrying deer back to awaiting trucks and then to be couriered to the meat works.
The trucks were positioned at remote road ends to freight the deer, to the venison processing factories.
Within one year the idea of shooting the deer from the helicopter with the doors removed, became perfected.
One thousand aerial shot deer was considered a highly productive month per helicopter. The price of each deer averaged $150 in the early 1970´s.
The crew of the “flying-hunter” helicopter consisted of 3 men - a pilot, shooter and knife hand. This flying hunter helicopter would be supported by a larger helicopter used for the purpose of carting the shot deer, suspended from the cargo hook under that helicopter and for re-supply of fuel to the remote based hunting unit.
These men were based in remote wilderness areas either in huts, or lived on moored vessels in the Fiords of Fiordland and used as helicopter pads.
With the strong demand for organic venison from a pure environment and dwindling population of the wild deer it became about that one or two of the deer hunters reasoned that it was merit able to start farming these deer. Initially the fawns were captured, hand raised, domesticated and the dawn of deer farming occurred in New Zealand.
With strong conviction, precision and natural judgment, the idea of standing on the helicopter skids whilst the helicopter chased and maneuvered close to the fleeing deer was developed. The shooter would then jump onto the deer. A method of restraining the deer and tying the same sided legs together was learnt by trial-and-error (similar to rodeo method). The deer would then be placed into lively bags, suspended beneath the helicopter and flown to the eagerly awaiting potential deer farmers.
The re-sale of these deer commonly referred to as 'liveies' was initially $300. When compared to farming cattle or sheep, deer farming was a more than viable option. Secondly, money invested in deer farming had tax advantages.
As the skills of the hunters increased, the deer became more elusive and the wild deer population declined, the high level demand for breeding stock by the deer farms resulted in live deer prices rising to $3500. This live deer hunting industry unique to New Zealand, became a way of life and a specialized culture.
Accidents, injuries, helicopter crashes and sadly many fatalities became common. Many speculative men became involved in this deer hunting industry and resulted in many disasters. The New Zealand government’s intervention through legislation, policing and administration, was considered by the deer hunters as harassment to their livelihood. This resulted in a difference of what was considered fair play between authorities and the deer hunters. With changing tax laws and deer farms breeding their own stock bought about the end of this era.
The deer have now repopulated in the forests.