As the skills of the hunters increased, the deer became more elusive, the wild deer population declined, demand for breeding stock for deer farms grew, and live-deer prices rose to $3,500 per beast. This live deer hunting industry, unique to New Zealand, became a way of life and a specialised culture. Accidents, injuries, helicopter crashes and, over 80 fatalities occurred increasingly common, as the hunters were often untrained and untrained with firearms and tranquilisers, though lucrative returns kept the hunters returning despite the danger.