Fish & Game expects ‘great start’ to gamebird season

Fish & Game expects ‘great start’ to gamebird season

Gamebird hunters across the South Island will have welcomed this week’s rain – the most significant rain event in some regions this year – ahead of the season’s opening this Saturday (May 2, 2015).

“Ponds in Fish & Game regions like Central South Island and North Canterbury had been left low or completely dry after the long, dry summer, so the weather system which moved up the country earlier this week will have bought some relief to these water bodies,” according to Don Rood, Fish & Game’s Communications Manager.

Fish & Game New Zealand says that with the weather forecast for Saturday likely to be fine across most of the island, those out harvesting gamebirds will need as much assistance as possible, with Southland looking like the best pick weather-wise.

Southland has reduced their season by one month this year, closing on June 28th. The decision to reduce the season was made partly to allow breeding birds a greater chance at survival, and not over harvest the resource.

Mr Rood says the majority of those pursuing gamebirds would pack the same amount of hunting into the two month season as they would have over the three month season.

“Therefore we don’t expect much in the way of hunter dissatisfaction at the earlier close. In fact many make the choice not to harvest in the last month themselves.”

Hunters in all regions are urged to be sure they take note of the bag limit and season changes which have been made for this hunting season, he adds.

“Study the 2015 Game Bird Hunting Guide or our Fish & Game website, www.fishandgame.org.nz, so you are clear on the rules and regs.”

With an expected influx of hunters from overseas and the North Island, Fish & Game officers are reminding hunters that compliance teams will be out in force over opening weekend.

The teams will be making friendly checks to ensure hunters are carrying their licences, and complying with the ban on using lead shot ammunition in 12-gauge shotguns over open water. Some ranger teams will be accompanied by Police officers.

Mr Rood says that most hunters stick to the rules as they enjoy a great outdoor pursuit with a long history behind it, but there are usually a few a small minority who think they can sidestep regulations which are there to ensure the future of the sport.

“Please be patient and assist our rangers, many of whom are volunteers giving up their own time. Their checks and questions take only a few minutes and those who are sticking to the rules have nothing to fear.”

“Offenders risk fines of up to $100,000 and loss of any firearms used and a review of their suitability to hold a firearms licence by Police.”

We saw a couple of isolated incidents last season where hunters were injured, fortunately not seriously, when shotguns went off accidently, says Mr Rood.

“So at the risk of repeating ourselves, please take extreme care in hunting and handling firearms, especially in confined spaces like maimai.”

“We want all hunters back safely with their families at the end of the day. As part of that, leave the drinks til you’ve locked the shotguns securely away. Firearms and alcohol are always a potentially lethal combination, no iffs or buts.”

Mr Rood also urges hunters not to leave buying a licence to the last minute.

“If you are in your favourite hunting store stocking up on items like ammunition and decoys, use the opportunity to get your licence.

“The easiest way to buy one, if you haven’t already done so, is via our online purchasing facility that most stores can now access. More than 80% of licences are now being bought via the online method.”

Customers receive a durable plastic licence card, which has the benefit of being waterproof “and because it’s about the size of a credit card it fits easily fits into a hunter’s wallet or jacket.”

Mr Rood says that Fish & Game is moving towards ‘paperless’ licences. A complete licence history, including accurate contact information, is maintained for each customer, which means we can easily contact them with fishing and hunting news and information, he adds.

Hunters are also encouraged to report any banded birds harvested, along with band number, location and date recovered, and their personal details, to help Fish & Game with its mallard research, and ensure sustainable hunting in future.

Hunters are being again given some extra incentive to send in their band details – if they do so by the end of August they can go in the draw to win a camo’ jacket in a prize draw sponsored by Hunting & Fishing New Zealand.

ENDS

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