The dilemma of deer

January/February 2026

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January/February 2026

A tramper walks off-track through open forest on an obvious deer trail in South Westland. Photo: Nina Dickerhoff
Trampers love a good deer trail, but the presence of these animals comes at a huge cost to our forest ecosystems. If you’ve tramped off-track in the New Zealand wilderness, you’ll be familiar with the importance of deer trails – trampled routes where deer travel that make passage through the bush easier. Pick up any […]
Jo Stilwell

About the author

Jo Stilwell

Jo has tramped extensively throughout the South Island over the past 40 years. She started writing for Wilderness about getting into the outdoors with children when her daughters were young. Living at Lake Hāwea, Jo is spoilt for choice when selecting outdoor adventures. She particularly enjoys remote areas, loves exploring untracked rivers and ridgelines, and is partial to a good bush-bash.

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