What are the main issues concerning deer farmers in the hill & high country?

This question was asked of a group 20 South Island hill and high-country farmers in 2011. The following responses were given (not necessarily in order of importance):

Issues identified by farmers	Section in which covered/reason why not covered
How can the land’s features be used to maximise the reproductive performance of hinds?	Section: Where do hinds range? What habitats do breeding hinds use at calving?
What habitats do breeding hinds prefer to use?	Section: Where do hinds range? What habitats do breeding hinds use at calving?
How is the natural biodiversity of the land and its waterways best protected?	Section: What impacts do deer have on vegetation and plant biodiversity? Are home range sizes constant at all times of year? Several additional DEEResearch projects have recently been completed or are underway on this topic, including: Determining the environmental impact of deer self-feeding silage systems on water quality; Invermay Environmental Focus Farm.
What is the correct stocking rate of deer for the carrying capacity of the land?	Section: How can I determine the optimum hill/high country stocking rate?
What are the best genotypes of deer for high-country systems?	Current DEEResearch projects ‘Tomorrow’s Deer – genetics for the future’ and ‘Seasonal Growth pathways’
How can young deer be optimally finished for venison or reared as replacements?	No current DEEResearch projects