SHOOTING PROSPECTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 72, 10 May 1946, Page 5

SHOOTING PROSPECTS

AN AVERAGE SEASON FEW LIMIT BAGS Few limit; bags were taken by shooting parties in the field for the opening of the season last Saturday and Sunday. Although several parties were favoured with the limit (15) such sport came only in patches, and the opening, taken by and large, could only be described as average. At least two parties headed by Messrs. W. Costello and J. Plamus shootirig at Matata obtained the limit. The lower end of Matata was no good whatsoever, several groups in that vicinity getting very few shots. Mr Geo. Lodge’s party at the top end of Matata did well. At Wainui, Mr Dennis Pearse and party obtained a limit bag, but spent all day in doing so. Mr F. Abbott’s party at Onepu likewise took a limit bag, but in a much shorter time. On the other hand, Mr Hector Grey, the well known Takanini trainer, who was shooting at Te Teko was rewarded'with only one bird. Apparently the main difficulty was that the ducks were flying high, and seemed averse to coming down. The second day was definitely an improvement on the first owing to the rain the night before. More shots at pheasants were also available on the second day, although all in all, this class of target was good both days. Proving the patchiness of the shooting, it is on record that some sportsmen did not even get a shot, whilst others took the limit. The average, however, was between 9 and 12 birds, and the majority of those who were in the field were rewarded to this extent.