Access to farms wanted to shoot wild deer

Southern Wild Game Co project lead Jim Goodall (left) and general manager Mark Frisby outside the...
Southern Wild Game Co project lead Jim Goodall (left) and general manager Mark Frisby outside the new wild deer processing plant in Dunedin. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE
A team at a new wild deer processing plant in Dunedin are calling for hunting access to southern farms with an overabundance of the animals.

Southern Wild Game Co project lead Jim Goodall, of Central Otago, said the company would start processing wild deer at its newly fitted-out facility in Kaikorai Valley Rd on November 3.

The business employs 15 full-time staff, including butchers and boners.

Wild deer would be sourced across the South Island, with a strong focus of working with hunters in the Otago and Southland area, Mr Goodall said.

Any farmers who had any issue with wild deer could contact Southern Wild Game Co and they would be put in contact with a professional hunter.

"We are taking a pest and turning it into food."

Nearly all the deer would be shot by hunters from helicopters.

A farmer would get the pest-control service for free.

The processed venison would be sold in New Zealand and the United States.

Demand for venison was strong as fewer deer were being farmed in New Zealand.

"There is an opportunity for wild-caught venison to fill a gap in the United States market due to the shortage of farmed deer," Mr Goodall said.

The processing plant would process tens of thousands of deer annually, he said.

Southern Wild Game Co general manager Mark Frisby said the business was a "pioneer" and would be the largest company processing wild venison in New Zealand.

The deer processing plant was being fitted out in former food manufacturer Pasta d’Oro’s premises.

Everything was on track to start next month, he said.

"I’m looking forward to getting going and get the product on the market," Mr Frisby said.

shawn.mcavinue@alliedmedia.co.nz