GAME SEASON

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 690, 16 November 1933, Page 2

GAME SEASON

WELLINGTON SOCIETY WANTS SMALLER LIMIT BAGS. ONLY COURSE OPEN. Wellington, Friday. iSmaller limits per gun for the gamo season of 1934 are to be reooinmmended to the Internal Affairs Department by the Wellington Acclimatis;ation Society as the result of recommendations from its game committee, which were that the season he the same as last year, with the exception that the limit of duck he reduced to 10 per gun per day, and the limit of swan be reduced to two per gun per day, the limit of cock pheasants toffie two per gun per day., The report further stated that recommendations for an open season for pukeko was fully discussed at the comjmittee's meeting, and it was recommended that a season for shooting pukeko would he inadvisahle because, where damage by pukeko is proved, permission to destroy them is readily granted by the Department of Internal Affairs. A circular letter in reference to landowners taking out shooting licenses when shooting upon their own properties was discussed, and it was recommended that in view of the privilege conferred by landowners upon all license-h'olders to shoot over their lands, it is considered that the counoil would be ill advised ' to adopt such a measure as suggested. Commenting on the position, Ithe chairman (Dr. G. F. V. Anson) said that at the last meeting of the committee a report from the Auckland Society concerning the desirability of a closed or open season was discussed and it was agreed that, as ffnances were at present, whatever their views regarding an open or closed season might he, a closed season could not he afforded, as that might mean curtailm,ent of ranging activities, which would do much more harm than an open season. The society was not opposed to a closed season, and if by any means of finance it could be achieved, would probably seriously consider it. Finances and the fear of limitation of ranging were what had determined the committee. Th'e question of pukeko was fully discussed, but the ample provisions for permits to destroy when damage wias being done hy those birds had made for the closed season. It was doubtful, even if an open season were granted, whether farmers who liked to see the" "birds about would permit shooting on their places.

Mr. J. Brassell moved that ia week's season for pukeko be granted, hut he failed to find a seconder. An amendment that the limit for duck be 15 per gun on the opening day and eight per gun per day thereafter was moved by Mr. D. J. Gibbs, who stressed the point that for city men the only diay's shooting was frequently the opening day. Mr. IWI J. H. Haase seconded the amendment, saying that he considered a limit of 10 per day would give the rangers a lot of trouble. For men who shot only on th'e opening day to be limited to 10 birds was to discourage them to take out :a license. The Department of Internal Affhifa, said the chairman, had written asking advice on certain points regarding the next shooting season, one of the requests being the nuniher of native duck it was proposed to allow per gun per day. The department hinted at the necessity for reducing bag limits. The request of th'e department, said * Mr, Haase, made it appar ent that the council oi the society wias losing its position as the advisory body. If they were to lose the right to advise the limits they .would find the limit reduced to eight, then to five, and ■then nothing. Th'e department had some knowledge placed in its hands, said the chairman. It would he found that fi. decreased limit had been the view of the majority of the society's sub-com-mittees^ The secretary (Mr. E. J. C. Wiffin) agreed that a majority of the suh-

committees circularised had agreed that the limit should be 10. Mr. F. Brockett considered that if finances aiid duck wiere (being weighed the duck should corixe first. Irt the United States- to-day the daily limit per gun was five duck, and the season limit 15. In Pennsylvania 15 rabbits was the season's limit; While realising the position 6f sportSmen who were particularly anxious ahout the opening day, Mr. C1. Matthews said that if hig limit's were allowed there would shortly be no ducks to shoot. (Mr. F. Willis thought the committee's rec'ommendation a sound compromise hetween revenue and a closed season. Most people went out for two days at the commeneement of • -the season. The amendment was lost, and the game committee's recommeridations were adopted.