Deer provide fine sport for hunters - 1899

The Star, 20 April 1899

DEER STALKING.
The South Wairarapa district has furnished some fine sport for the deer stalkers this season, the more so that no limit was placed on the number of stags allowed to be taken.

Probably the most successful of the sportsmen who have gone out is Mr John Ross, says the "New Zealand Times," who, up to Thursday last, had secured sixteen heads, oue of them an especially fine one of sixteen tines, and another carrying thirteen tines.

Deer are reported to be very numerous in the country eastward of Martinborough, but their habitat is so rough and rugged as to give pause to any but the most ardent sportsmen.

One deer at, present enjoying a breezy freedom in the locality referred to is the talk of the settlers' firesides and the rabbiters' tents, and the envy of sportsmen from far and near. He is reported to have antlers of fabulous size, so large as to bow him down, as it were, under a chastening distinction. Only once or twice has he appeared in the open, but that was out of season, and consequently for exhibition only. When the rifles are cracking he affects the mountain tops which are furthest, and therefore, proverbially, greenest; but there is not a sportsman throughout the province over I which his fame has spread who is not anxious to bring this stag to earth.