CLOSE SEASON FOR IMPORTED GAME.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 771, 21 March 1910, Page 9

CLOSE SEASON FOR IMPORTED GAME.

Sir, —There have been several protests lately from dift'orent districts against the proposed closed season for quail. I may say that I have had a good deal of experience in New Zealand shooting, having shot (and taken out a license) for a quarter of a century in the Dominion. 1 have lately been speaking to several keen shots—men who live on stations, sea and observe gams nearly every day of their lives/and we all, without exception, think the acclimatisation societies (if it is tho societies) are making a mistake in demanding a close season for imported game. There is no doubt it would help tho native game, particularly the ducks and pukekos, and in a lesser degree the native pigeon, though these would still be shot in the backbloeks—close season or not. But it is a different matter with ;the. imported game. The pheasant is doomed anyway, a close season would do no good,. .there lias, practically ahyays been one for him, as the hens have never been shot, and yet lie is extinct in most •districts, where he was plentiful 20 years ago. Everybody, knows its extinction can not be blamed on the gun. With regard to Californian' quail, the only really sporting bird (bar the ducks) we have in New Zealand, the proposed, spell instead of being a kindness would be its ruin. In my experience it.is almost impossible-to. shoot quail.country too hard, as they are such a bird for cover that there is sure to be. a good'breeding stock left on theground hi spite of it. The more they are shot the more thecoveyß or mobs are broken up and mixed, hence change of. blood, and.-strong chicks in the breeding, season, rkiiow of two cases of country that was well shot for years,:and in ; each case a three, years' spell from.shooting practically exterminated tho quail. 1 say s have a close season for native gamo by all means, but not for imported game. It will, mean...that every man who takes out a license, for imported game will.be more or less a'ranger, which will holo to protect the native and protected birds, and it. will also mean that the societies will not lose most of' their income this year.—l am, etc.; QUAIL.. March 18. . -