Volunteer rangers to protect fishery

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 557, 11 October 1994, Page 10

Volunteer rangers to protect fishery

The Taranaki Fish and Game Council explains why rangers are necessary: Rivers and lakes in the region will once again be patrolled by the Taranaki Fish and Game Council' s 44 honorary rangers this season. On two Saturdays in September rangers attended full day training courses run by the Council. The courses covered a variety of'topics, including the regulation changes for the coming season, powers under the Wildlife and Conservation Acts, personal approach and common interview situations encountered in the field. Being an honorary ranger can be a thankless task, as it is done voluntarily in your own time and occasionally people are not too thrilled to see you. Rangers are keen anglers and hunters who have a strong interest and concern for wildlife and recreation. They are giving something back to the sport which has given them much enjoyment. They are there to protect the resource from the selfish few who can so quickly devastate it. They are not there for a "power trip", to be in authority , or to boss people around. Rangers are working on your behalf, so a smile and a friendly chat is always most welcome. Anglers of all ages require a licence to fish for trout and perch, and responsible anglers always carry it with them when fishing. By law you are required to provide your name and address on request and, if an offence has been committed, gear may be seized as evidence. If a person refuses to comply the more serious offence of obstruction may also have been committed. The majority of local anglers have embraced the conservation ethic by sticking to the licence regulations and bag limits.