Noxious deer!

Most well-known of these "noxious" animals are the Red Deer, first introduced to Nelson from Europe in 1851. Not many people realise that in New Zealand we also have Virginian Fallow. Sambur, Rusa and Sika deer, as well as the Wapiti (North American Elk) and a small moose herd in Fiordland.

Goats are in abundance, but a surprising amount of people don't realise that the delicate European antelope and chamois are also frequently encountered in the Southern Alps. Had all liberations been successful, New Zealand would have looked like a gigantic zoo to the overseas tourist hunter.

Every hunter has his dreams, and often as he sits vacantly in front of the camp fire he wishfully thinks of being in this position:

Wakes up.

Cooks breakfast over usual open fire.

Thinks: "Damn racoons have at the bacon again."

Thinks: "Will shoot a trophy gnu today."

Kicks squirrel off tent roof.

Rides to gnu hunting grounds but attention is drawn to a herd of mule deer so stalk them instead. A mob of kangaroos Interfere and all escape.

Still no gnu around so climb nearest mountain and shoot up a mob of bharal sheep.

Returning to camp shoot an Axis deer and find the bandicoots and chipmunks have chased Ilamas all over camp site.

However, this is just a hunter's dream, for the pioneer liberations were not quite so successful.

In spite of these unsuccessful liberations there is still enough game to make New Zealand a hunters' paradise.