Annual Game Statistics Report 2008-09
by Dave Gousmett : Game Recording Officer
Our annual tally of deer claimed continues to rise, passing the 200 mark this year. There were 237 deer claimed, an increase of 39 from last year. That increase was solely due to a big rise in the number of Fallow deer shot while Reds showed a marked decline. Altogether I received a total of 864 claim forms from 173 members and sent out 111 game awards.
Statistics from Big Game Animals (excluding Wallabies):
Number shot:
Fallow Deer 120 Sika Deer 15
Pigs 74 Chamois 9
Red Deer 70 Sambar Deer 7
Whitetail 22 Rusa Deer 3
Tahr 17
Distances:
The distance of the first hit varied from 2 to 78 metres, with an average distance of 22.7 metres. The distance the animal travelled after being hit varied from zero to 600 metres. The median distance travelled was 40 metres.
First Hit:
The location of the first hit on the animal was in the heart/lung area for 70% of animals.
Individual totals: Lungs 174, Heart 63, Neck 24, Liver 19, Spine 16, Other 41.
Penetration:
The broadhead passed completely through the animal in 253 cases out of 337 (75%).
Broadheads:
Muzzies increased their lead accounting for 144 animals. Thunderheads were a long way back with 39 followed by Montec 32 and Nitron16.
Number of cutting edges:
Four 12, Three 276, Two 46
Arrow Type:
Carbon 322, Wood 8, Aluminium 7
Bow Type:
Compound 319, Longbow 11, Recurve 7
Bow Make:
Hoyt still have a big lead as the most successful bow make with 141 animals claimed but Mathews are catching up with 57. Next were Pearson (34), Bowtech (29) and PSE (21).
Bow Weight:
From 18 kg to 36 kg, average weight 29.6 kg (65 lb).
Accessories used:
31 of the 337 animals were taken barebow. Accessories used included release aids for 294 animals, sights for 302 animals and peep sights for 203 animals. There was a marked increase in the use of rangefinders with 47 animals shot.
Wallabies:
17 members shot a total of 47 Wallabies, 45 were from Rotorua and Tarawera and the other 2 were from the Waimate area.
Big Game Fish:
18 members claimed big game fish this year. There were 4 Blue Sharks, 2 Bronzewhalers, 2 Mako Sharks, 17 Eaglerays and 5 Black Rays claimed.
Small Game:
150 members claimed a total of 8101 small game points. Some of the individual game totals were:
Goats – 324
Mullet - 257
Possums – 186
Rabbits – 165
Turkeys – 124
And Koi Carp - 2680