Barbara Kane, of Te Anau, was given the unveiling honours in front of about 60 guests. Her husband, Jim Kane, was one of more than 50 pilots and shooters killed recovering deer and venison during the industry's early days.
Deer Industry New Zealand board member Clive Jermy said there was no formal record of the ''brave men who captured the foundation stock'' of the industry.
''However, the cost was terribly high. It was likely more men lost their lives in two decades than [other] high-risk industries did in a century.''
New Zealand Deer Farmers Association chairman Kris Orange said the plaque was a ''long overdue recognition to those that made the ultimate sacrifice'' helping create the industry.
Industry pioneer Tim Wallis recalled, with a smile, the profit he and two colleagues made from their first venture into the venison trade - 1 shilling and fourpence halfpenny per pound.
