Duck Population Problem: Reduced Limit Suggested At Rod & Gun Meeting

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 4, 5 December 1947, Page 4

Duck Population Problem: Reduced Limit Suggested At Rod & Gun Meeting

Representatives and officials of local Rod and Gun Clubs recently met under the chairmanship of Mr J. D. Rivett to hear an address by Mr K. E. Francis, Government Ranger, on the decrease in the grey duck population in this district and the introduction of several schemes to halt it. The Beacon has already pub •

lisbed that address. Prominent local sportsmen listened with keen interest to the situation as outlined by the Ranger, particularly the disastrous damage caused by pukeko, swamp burning and the draining of swamp lands. Proof of the pukeko menace was given by eye-witnesses’s accounts of pukeko - in some instances killing 75 per cent of ducklings reared in the wild state, and eggs-crushed or stolen from the nests.

Mr Rivett, chairman, said it was obvious the meeting was impressed and favoured the lagoon scheme, advocated by the Ranger, and that he was prepared to recommend his club fo finance and build a lagoon somewhere near Awakeri, where duck could breed in shelter and security. Mr Davis offered land on his property at Ruatoki and a similar offer was received from Mr Hughes. Farmer sportsmen amongst the audience considered that the construction of permanent lagoons on suitable farm properties was of very definite value, particularly where swampy dangerous gullies were present and good supplies of water for stock were unreliable. Science had proved that stock drinking from swampy areas were frequently infected with fluke worm. Again hillside and gully erosion were effectively halted by the damming of selected streams. Mr W. Hume proposed that the meeting recommend to the Government that protection on pukeko be removed in this district and that meanwhile warrants be obtained from the Minister of Internal Affairs permitting the destruction of pukeko in specified areas.

Mr F. Cameron asked for the Ranger’s opinion on the reduction of the limit of grey duck. The ensuing discussion brought the majority of members to their feet and it became evident that the meeting would support a reduction in the limit bag from ten to eight if the situation and conditions warranted it. Only one member spoke against the suggestion and the meeting agreed to recommend the reduction for a limited period of two years, at the end of which it was anticipated the local schemes would show profit, the population be increased and the limit bag restored to its present number, ten. It was, however, desired that the Government first guarantee restoration at the end of two years, before the recommendation be formally tabled. The resolution was sponsored by Messrs Hume and Davis and carried.

Shooters expressed concern at the influx of shooters from outside areas, many of them wealthy men. who were buying or renting the best duck country at the expense and exclusion of local shooters and asked for some protection. An increased licence fee, similar to Taupo fishing licenses was favourably considered. - . A resolution was passed unanimously recommending the Government to increase the bonus on hawks, to 2/6 and to grant a bonus on - hedgehogs and wild cats.