Also in Marlborough there is a feral flock on Arapawa Island in the outer Sounds. Atkinson, I. By the l880s "wild" sheep had become common in the mountainous districts of the South Island (Thomson 1922), in Hawkes Bay (Guthrie-Smith 1953), and doubtless elsewhere in the country. The history of the domestic sheep goes back to between 11000 and 9000 BCE, and the domestication of the wild mouflon in ancient Mesopotamia. Our Pihepe run free across the hill country at Lucas Bay and Ataahua on Banks Peninsula. .243 minimum. Feral sheep were reported from the Chathams in 1900, Kapiti in 1919, and in 1922 were said to be "still abundant in the wilder parts of the country... especially... Marlborough" (Thomson 1922). A. H. & A. W. Reed, Wellington. Here live the lucky sheep who produce the high quality wool. Soon more animals from Great Britain and Australia joined. The main introductions were in 1901 when 2000 merino 2-tooths were taken ashore, and in 1902 when 1000 of unknown breed were landed. The local farmers consider them cause for concern so the implication is that there is interference with domestic stock, with possible cross-breeding, and perhaps competition for grass. Feral sheep have horns that continue to grow - they are not shed annually like antlers of deer. The origins of the Mohaka flocks are also unknown but their age is probably similar to that of the Omahaki flock. Areas occupied usually contain rough pasture and shelter in the form of broken scrub or forest. March in some populations. This flock is at present being destroyed, supposedly as a disease (bovine Tb) control measure. Mohaka Valley: Fragmented flock mostly on private property some in Kaweka Forest Park. Some areas may be closed during periods of high fire danger. The numbers and range have apparently remained constant over the last 60 years and the available evidence suggests the flock had its origins about 100 years ago. 1975). During the summer they face temperatures above 30 degrees and during the winter months they must endure frost, snow, and freezing wind, particularly in the Southern Alps. In New Zealand, there is no seasonal restriction to hunting feral sheep meaning generally they can be hunted throughout the year. The present sheep are recognised as being quarter to half-bred merino longwool cross with the longwool component variously described as Lincoln, Leicester or Romney. Thomson, G. M. 1922: The Naturalisation of Animals and Plants in New Zealand. Size: Variable depending on breed. By the 1840s when the period of colonisation had really begun, introductions of sheep from Australia had become commonplace. When disturbed feral sheep run for cover, whereas domestic sheep tend to run into the open. Near the southwest corner of the main island is a very small flock of merino sheep which presumably pre-date the change to longwool breeds. Little appears to be known of these animals but it seems that there are about 1000, that are of merino origin, and that the flock is about 50-60 years old. The following information shows differences between flocks available on DOC's permit system and those that require private owner permission. The Hokonui Hills in Southland are the haunts of another feral flock but again records are patchy. In the decade 1951-1961 an average of over 2000 per annum were accounted for but tallies did not drop during that period (Howard 1965). In 1858 there were already 1,5 million sheep in New Zealand, today there are 35 million. New Zealand Journal of Agriculture 80 : 133-144. To make the assumption that their remoteness would indicate a rare or interesting strain would be wrong as they were modern Romney-cross stock and had been farmed to within 2-3 years of their removal. Nowhere else on earth can you find so much contrast in topography and breathtaking natural beauty. Hunt cautiously and expect to see sheep actively feeding at any time of the day. Clarence River Valley: Small numbers on private property. These sheep were primarily raised for meat, milk, and skins. Social behaviour: Feral sheep are grazers feeding throughout the day on pasture and herbaceous plants. There is no suggestion of cross-breeding with domestic stock and apparently no other conflict of interest. South of Oamaru there is a flock of feral sheep in the Waianakarua catchment at the eastern end of the Kakanui Range. A. E., Bell, B. D. 1973: Offshore and outlying islands. Twins are rare in wild populations. However, as many hundreds of sheep will remain, this control is in no way a threat to the population as a whole, provided that some protection is given to those that remain. So far only three of the feral flocks have received any scientific attention - those at Campbell Island, Arapawa Island and Omahaki. Nomenclature: Male = ram. Official shooting, aimed at reducing the browsing pressure on unstable country, reveals tallies which have dropped in the last decade from 300/annum to about 40/annum at present (A. N. Gilmore, in litt. The first introduction must be credited to Cook in 1773, but the pair he landed in Queen Charlotte Sound are known to have died (Beagleho1e 1961). There are however, instances where restrictions apply for specific reasons and periods when hunting is favoured. Female = ewe. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Bulletin No 98. Wodzicki, K. A. New Zealand; Scenic Highlights; Ski Areas & Heli-Ski Sites; Touring Guide; Freshwater Fisheries; Forest Parks; Great Walks The follicle density and SP ratios in Arapawa sheep are less than half what would be expected in merinos and there are indications that a similar lowering has occurred in other flocks, including that on Campbell Island. All the truly feral sheep seem to be of merino origin or contain a high proportion of merino blood. Wilson, P. R., Orwin, D. F. G. 1964: The sheep population of Campbell Island. 607p. The sheep of Kapiti Island in the late 1920s seem to have been of interesting stature and colour; no one would deny that it was essential to remove them from the sanctuary but it would have been wise to examine them before removal. In 1970 a fence was erected across the island and, as part of a long-term study on the effects of sheep on subantarctic vegetation and seabirds, all the sheep in the northern half were shot out. Stevens, P. G. 1966: Sheep farming. It is important to check for these conditions with the DOC office closest to the population being hunted. Not a common occurrence but an area may be closed on a temporary basis to enable research or other management to be undertaken without being compromised by hunting. All are on or near the banks of the Mohaka river between the Te Hoe and Waipunga Rivers, behind Tutira. Since the inception of the wildlife control policies, wild sheep have been killed as a sideline to deer and goat control, though initially there was a certain amount of reluctance to shooting sheep because of the provisions of the Stock Act. Marlborough, as stated earlier, has long been a stronghold of feral sheep. On both the North and South Islands of New Zealand there are prominent sheep farming areas. Breathable in summer, insulating in winter. Pihepe are pasture raised and grazed, receive no chemical treatment, inoculation or antibiotics in their lifetime and their tails are left as nature intended, wagging behind them. Arapawa Island: Hunting opportunities for Arapawa sourced animals on game reserves by professional guides only. Forty years later, in 1814, Samuel Marsden brought sheep from Sydney to the Bay of Islands (Miller 1950). Colour: As with size, colour varies with the population breed and can be white, dark brown to black or parti-coloured. During these times of climate change a sustainable use of renewable resources become more and more important. After the war, when control operations against ungulates really got moving, a determined effort was made to remove sheep, especially from problem areas such as Marlborough, and in 1946 over 5000 sheep were killed (Wodzicki 1950). How to hunt safely, rules for hunting on public conservation land, hunting with dogs, overseas hunters, and hunting gear lists. The green pasture and general landscape of New Zealand offer outstanding conditions for farming. Feral sheep are medium sized animals often covered in thick woollen fleece. Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai, https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/things-to-do/hunting/what-to-hunt/feral-sheep/. The feral sheep flocks were gradually reduced to the more inaccessible areas, though they received a boost in the Depression when many isolated farms were abandoned. The island was farmed until 1931 when the remaining flock was abandoned to run wild. Ed., The Natural History of New Zealand. Use rifle calibre with good hitting energy e.g. The history of the sheep farming in New Zealand goes back a long way. However they were so isolated that their health and parasite status could have been extremely interesting. Its seven highly sociable species are known as sheep. On the South Island pasture large herds are farmed on the Canterbury Plains, in Otago and Southland, with most of the fine wool being produced from the High Country, bordering the Southern Alps. Trophy hunting for feral rams can occur at any time of the year. They are resilient, agile and graceful, with a natural ability to survive. The flock in the Clarence is larger, 2-300 in the vicinity of the Boundary and Ouse Rivers and a similar number in the Mead River. Female horns are slender, erect and curving backwards where in males the horns are much larger curving back and spiralling outwards for up to two turns. During these seasonal changes they are protected by their wool. Biodiversity inventory and monitoring toolbox. Soon more animals from Great Britain and Australia joined. But it's … The Mohaka flock comprises several groups which may or may not be discrete. DOC permit required. Feral sheep are usually found in flocks and can be extremely wary. The sheep are exposed to extreme climatic conditions. By the early 1900s sheep farming had become more intensive and organised. 1962: Catchment condition in the Ruahine Range. Certainly in this area the change from merinos to longwools was virtually complete by 1900 so this presumably provides an indication of age. There are 15 breeds of wild sheep in New Zealand according to Roger Beattie. They are almost certainly derived from Australian merinos taken to the island from the Wairau Valley late last century. Nevertheless the other feral flocks have interesting differences between them that may be attributable either to the particular strain introduced originally, or the degree and length of isolation, or even the peculiar selective pressures imposed by their environment. In McClintock, A. H. Ed. Wairau River Valley: Small numbers on private property. Ovis is a genus of mammals, part of the Caprinae subfamily of the ruminant family Bovidae. 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