PHEASANTS SAID TO BE INCREASING IN DISTRICT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 9, 13 March 1950, Page 5

PHEASANTS SAID TO BE INCREASING IN DISTRICT

Reports of a marked increase in the number of pheasants about Whakatane with prospects looking particularly good for the coming shooting season have been received by the president of the Whakatane County Rod and Gun Club, Mr J. D. Rivett. This is thought to be due largely to the scheme avhereby private breeders have raised pheasants in the district from eggs obtained from the Government ranger. Mr Rivett said that a number of such birds had been bought back by the Government and liberated in the district. However, there were still a large number nearing maturity and almost ready for liberation. In addition to these birds a quota had been provided Whakatane from outside districts and Mr Rivett said he thought an additional quota was to follow. It has been estimated that between' 350 and 400 birds have already been liberated, a figure far in excess of any previous records, and there are still more to come. Practically all the birds have been liberated on properties officially closed to shooting and they will be able to acclimatise here in security and, it is hoped, rapidly spread throughout the? Bay of Plenty. In all cases they have been leg banded and shooters are urged to watch for these bands when the season opens and return them to the Government danger at Whakatane, Mr K. E. Francis. Mr Rivett said the Government officers and private breeders were to be congratulated on their splendid effort. The work had been supported by both the Whakatane and Opotiki Gun Clubs and its value could not be too highly stressed. "My Club feels gratified that their earlier recommendations and requests to the Department of Internal Affairs for the improvement in local shooting has been so effectively recognised," Mr Ribett concluded. It was from such results that the relationship between the Government and sportsmen was immeasurably strengthened.