THE SHOOTING SEASON.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1743, 7 May 1913, Page 8

THE SHOOTING SEASON.

SPORT IN THE NORTH, ! 1 (By Tolesraph— Special Correspondent.) Auckland, May 6. Sportsmen who were out of town for tiie commencement of tho shooting season have generally returned with encouraging reports of the sport to ho enjoyed in the various districts. Duck shooters have been particularly fortunate, and somo very good bags have been secured in tho Wa'ikaio districts. Tho birds are said hi bo in fine condition,' better, in fact, than for somo years. Lake Waikare was visited by ii numoer of sportsmen, wlio report having obtained some good shooting. A party of five averaged 50 ducks a gun for two days J shooting, while other sportsmen also secured the-.maximum number of birds allowed to be''shot daily. Two Auckland sportsmen, Messrs. W. E. Lippiatt and John Andrew, secured a number of ducks aDtl 12 swans on the lako'in a day and a half. ' On Lake Waihi a party of two secured 10 ducks' in a day and a half, smaller, bags being obtained by a number of- other sportsmen. Everywhere, in fact, from Whangapo to Lake "VVaikare, duck shooters report similar success. In the Dargavillo district- also ducks are reported to be more plentiful than, in previous years. The reports to linnd regarding pheasant "hooting ill tho Waikato arc scant, and indicate that tho sport experienced has not been very good. At Huntly, ou his station at Awaroa, Mr, W. J. llalph, (luring a day and a half's shooting, bagged half a dozen cock pheasants and a "dozen California!! quail. Returning sportsmen from other points down tho -line however, make discouraging reports. ' Somo of those, who wero out with gun and dog -did not secure a single bird. -Reports from Dargaville oro more cheering, though- it is stated that wet weather has militated to some' extent against sportsmen in forest territory. Pheasants r have takvn to close cover, but in the • open country excellent bags have been obtained. Fully 500 guns have been out in the Hobson Acclimatisation Society s area, and most of ■ the sportsmen have met with success. Pukekos ha\e also provided good sport..