Fish & Game reminds hunters of ‘special game bird hunt’

Source: Fish and Game NZ

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Eastern Region Fish & Game staff are reminding hunters of a special game bird season for black swan in Management Area A1, and for pukeko throughout the region over this coming weekend.

Management area A1 includes the Rotorua Lakes, coastal estuaries in the Bay of Plenty and that part of the Waikato River just above Rawhiti Lagoon downstream to Lake Atiamuri.

Hunters should check their Game Bird Hunting Guide booklet if they are unsure of the A1 boundaries.

The special season is for Saturday and Sunday, the 23rd and 24th of February only, and available for hunters who hold a 2018 licence.

There is no limit on the number of black swan which can harvested but a daily limit of 10 birds applies to pukeko.

Senior Fish & Game Officer Matt McDougall says that members of the public shouldn’t be alarmed if they hear shots fired during the weekend, starting from around 6.30am on Saturday.

"Both species are numerous in this region and in some areas are a nuisance to the horticultural and agricultural sector. "

Mr McDougall says that Fish & Game officers will be out ranging and bag limits and other regulations will be strictly enforced.

He says that hunters are reminded that the rules which apply in the main game bird hunting season, which of course, ended some time ago, apply equally to the special season.

The regulations state that non-toxic shot is strictly required around waterways (not lead shot), and shotgun magazines must be restricted to three shots in total with no exceptions, he says. Hunting from boats under power will also not be tolerated.

Land occupiers, (which means the occupier, their spouse and one son or daughter only - a maximum of three people) do not need a game bird hunting licence if they are only hunting on their own land.

"However any visitors do need a current 2018 season licence, which is still valid for this special season."

The new 2019 game bird season licences will not be on sale until after the weekend special season so any changes to the regulations don’t apply to the special season.

It is important to note that some other North Island regions are also holding special seasons this weekend but different rules including bag limits may apply so that hunters must check the 2018 Game Bird Hunting Guide).

ENDS

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