Deer go flying at kids' hunt

Cooper McKenzie (6) bagged a rabbit and Jordan Lewer (5) got a possum. Photo/Bevan Conley

There were so many deer shot in the weekend's Whanganui hunting competition that the rail holding them made a spectacular collapse before the weigh-in was finished.

Hundreds of children and adults were at the army camp at Landguard Bluff ready for the Wilson's Whanganui "Take a Kid" Hunting Competition weigh-in on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

There were sambar, red and fallow stags hanging from a long rail, until it collapsed without warning. No one was hurt, and organisers had to decide what to do next.

It was the first time Mr Wilson, the owner of a Whanganui hunting and outdoor store, has held the competition. He used the same format as Aaron McCann, who held children's hunting competitions at Ohingaiti for seven years - with 496 entries to the biggest one.

Mr McCann leant Mr Wilson some gear, including the rack used for the deer. He said it was usually for goats, and the deer were too heavy for it.

Wilson (left) and others wonder what to do after a rack holding deer carcasses collapses. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY

All the animals up for killing were pests - including peacocks, which Mr Wilson said were increasing in number.

Others on the wanted list were mice, rats, rabbits, hares, possums, magpies, goats, deer and pigs. Children were only to hunt under the supervision of an adult with a gun licence, in places where hunting is permitted.

By the Tuesday deadline there were 196 entries, from people as far away as Wairarapa, Taihape and Patea. The age of the entrants ran from two years old to 15.

By the weigh-in deadline there were lines of smelly billygoats, masses of rabbits, hares and possums and several peacocks and magpies - as well as all the deer.

The prizes were clothing, binoculars and other gear, including rifles where there were adults with gun licences. Families were expected to take their game home when they left.

The Defence Force made its Landguard Bluff complex available, and ran obstacle courses "just to try and wear some of those kids out", Mr Wilson said. The complex is booked again, for next year's competition, and people will be able to stay the night there.

Whanganui Fire Service was in attendance, and Hunterville School did the catering as a fundraiser.

Hunting competition: Wilsons Wanganui Kids Hunt: Thomas Perrett (8) with his 52kg fallow deer and friend Lucy Honeyfield (7) who shot some possums and hares.

Mr Wilson was pleased with the turnout. He liked the idea of the competition, because it got children away from television and out into nature. He liked seeing whole families take part and didn't expect to make money from the entry fees.

"I'm going to lose money out of it, but it's a good thing for the community and it gets my name out there," he said.