About this episode

Matty interviews ecologist Cam Speedy about Sika deer ecology, habitat management, and the role of hunters in conservation in New Zealand.

In this episode, Matty sits down with New Zealand ecologist and Sika Foundation member Cam Speedy for a deep dive into Sika deer, deer ecology, habitat management, and the role hunters play in conservation. Cam shares decades of experience working in wildlife management throughout New Zealand, including predator control, deer tracking studies, biodiversity work, and research around Sika deer populations in the Central North Island. The conversation explores how deer density directly impacts habitat quality, breeding success, antler growth, and overall herd health. Cam explains why healthy hunting systems rely on balanced harvests, particularly around female deer, and how hunters themselves often act as the primary predator within modern deer systems. There’s also a fascinating breakdown of Sika deer behaviour, including rut timing, scrape systems, home ranges, dispersal patterns, and why Sika have become such a sought-after species for bowhunters. This is a grounded conversation that blends science, practical hunting knowledge, and conservation into one of the most detailed discussions we’ve had on deer ecology and management. 🔍 What We Cover: Cam’s background in ecology and…

People in this episode

Host: Matty

Guest: Cam Speedy

Topics covered

• Sika deer
• deer ecology
• habitat management
• conservation
• wildlife management
• hunting systems

Keywords

• Sika deer
• hunting
• ecology
• wildlife management
• habitat quality
• predator control
• biodiversity
• deer tracking
• conservation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sika Foundation

Places: New Zealand, Central North Island

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