Murchison Heli Tours owner operator Rob Hunt is flying recreational hunters in and out of Nelson Lakes National Park during a Department of Conservation initiative. Recreational hunters, helicopter operators and the Department of Conservation are working together in a bid to preserve a national park and reduce animal numbers in the top of the south. Nelson Lakes National Park is usually only open to hunters who walk in, but for the first time, helicopters have been flying in and dropping them off as DOC aims to cull pests and valued big game animals like deer and chamois, usually inaccessible to many recreational hunters. SUPPLIED/Nelson Mail Eight blocks in Nelson Lakes National Park have been opened up to helicopters to fly recreational hunters in during a two-week period. NELSON-TASMAN TOURISM Hunters normally have to walk days to reach good numbers of deer in Nelson Lakes National Park, but the helicopter initiative is allowing old hunters back to past stomping grounds.

Source: Stuff November 09, 2021 06:07 UTC