Department of Conservation (Doc) Wakatipu area manager Greg Lind said increasing numbers of deer in the valley were damaging vegetation which was having a detrimental effect on threatened wildlife, including mohua/yellowhead and pekapeka/short-tailed bats.
Doc had outlined its vision in its recently released draft Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) for Otago, proposing to attract deer hunters by removing restrictions on hunters accessing the area by helicopter.
''We'd like to work with hunters to control deer populations to densities that support our conservation priorities,'' Mr Lind said.
''We're not getting enough recreational hunters into the Caples.
''Groups could apply for permits to land on conservation land,'' he said.
Recreational hunting is allowed in the valley between April 1 and September 30, by permit and a ballot system.
Another change proposed by the CMS for the Caples Valley was allowing ''small commercial guided groups'' for activities such as tramping and fishing, while retaining its character as an easy introductory tramping experience.
Guided groups would be limited to 15 people.
The draft Otago CMS could be viewed at www.doc.govt.nz/cms.
Submission forms were available on the web page. Submissions close at 4.30pm on September 13.
