Island farm will open to hunters on May 1

The Department of Conservation wants hunters eager to gain access the bush of Greville Harbour Farm on d'Urville Island to bide their time until the property opens to the public on May 1.

The department takes over management of the 1800 hectare farm today, but it will be another month before it swings the gates open to the public.

DOC biodiversity threats programme manager Pete Brady said the remaining 600-odd head of cattle would be taken off the farm at the end of April and the property would be opened on May 1.

In particular he urged hunters to hold fire on plans to visit the property.

He said there had been an increase in the number of poachers in recent months and it appeared some people believed the department would not welcome hunters after the take over.

He said the department would be counting on hunters to help keep down deer and pig numbers in the bush after May 1, but in the meantime they risked spooking stock and would be trespassing if they ventured on to the farm.

The Nature Heritage Fund bought the property from business partners Paul Nurse and Peter Robinson for $3.7 million last year.

The block on the western side of the island features nationally important Bottle Points Cliffs, lowland forest, a freshwater lagoon and a large duneland. It is also archaeologically rich.

Mr Nurse said about 280 calves were sent to sales in Blenheim yesterday and the remaining cattle would be mustered at the end of April.

Mr Nurse said over the decade he and Mr Robinson had owned the property they had taken turns living and working there.

He had enjoyed his time on the property, but it was time to move on.

"It's magic, we'll miss it like mad," he said.