Book proposal: Help preserve the history of the NZ Deer Cullers Incorporated Society.
No book has been written on the NZDC Inc. and its history. I aim to get this done.
Nationwide
My rallying cry to you is: this is a book for all New Zealanders. Particularly those interested in our outdoors and wilderness regions. The history of hunting in New Zealand, and our backcountry huts, many were established in the 1950s-60s as bases for the government shooters. The deer culling industry has left a legacy that is available and enjoyed by many trampers in our great outdoors.
In 2023, my first book Finding Frank: The Life of Frank Erceg – New Zealand Deer Hunter, Mountaineer, Photographer was published to critical acclaim, with the first print run of 2000 copies quickly selling out initiating a reprint. For that book I undertook extensive research into the history of deer in New Zealand. This included research on the New Zealand government deer cullers.
The NZDC Inc. was founded in 1966. The society represents a significant period in the history of deer hunting in New Zealand – the era of the iconic government deer culler 1930-1987 when the Department of Conservation took over deer management.
Of the few surviving earlier deer cullers, there are precious archives that need preserving and proper housing. I aim to travel throughout New Zealand, to undertake interviews and assess these collections. These treasured artefacts and materials will be permanently re-housed to the NZ Deer Stalkers Heritage Museum in Wellington. To be available to the public, and for other writers and historians to view.
I graciously ask you to support me in getting this book completed.
Use of funds
Funds raised will be used for travel and accommodation throughout New Zealand. For professional manuscript development, including transcription services, editing, and getting the book publisher ready. For promoting the book once published.
Other page links
Latest update
Its all happening - another interview under my belt 1 December 2024
I’m starting to accumulate some good, solid research with several interviews now done and dozens of photos and documents scanned and sorted into folders. I’m currently reading some books written by ex-cullers and others on the history of deer in NZ, digging more into those early days when deer were first introduced to NZ and what eventually led to the era of the government deer hunter. My latest interview was with Sonny Cranson. Sonny kindly loaned me two of his photo albums to look through at my leisure. He was a deer culler in the mid-1950s and early 60s. I’ve met him a few times at the reunions, it was nice to spend some good quality time together and hear his story. Sonny made a significant donation to the givealittle campaign, and I’m very grateful for this support, for his generosity and for sharing his photos and stories.
Latest donations
Hi Andrew, wow thank you so much for your kind donation, for your support and encouragement. Cheers Louise
Draga Sarndra and Aj, my awesome cuzzy's, hvala ti od srca - thank you from my heart xx
Dear Brian and Glenis, hvala puno for your kind donation. I'm so very grateful to you both. Louise x
Dearest Henrik, thank you so much for your support and your donation. Very much appreciated. Louise x
Dear Sonny, thank you from my heart for this very generous donation.
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