One trout limit for Easter hunt

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 679, 25 March 1997, Page 10

One trout limit for Easter hunt

Once again rule changes have been made to the Waimarino's annual Winstone Pulp International Easter Hunt to help make it appeal to a wider range of hunters as well as alleviate some Fish and Game Council concerns. Anglers can this year enter just one trout per team or individual competitor, which will reduce some of

the pressure on fisheries, and also make it fairer to all entrants. Individual trout prizes will be awarded (1st, 2nd and 3rd) in the heaviest fish category, closest to the average, and highest condition factor. Pig hunters will be aiming for the heaviest, the closest to the average weight and the best Douglas Score tusks, while deer hunters will be after the heaviest red stag, heaviest fallow stag, average red stag, average fallow stag, and best Douglas Score head. Teams entered in the Big Three will be judged on total points scored. Hunters can enter as individuals in one or more of the three categories, following a rule change last year, whereas in previous years teams only could enter. The event is now very well-known around the country, having featured on the Heartland programme in 1994. Hunters are expected from mostly the Waimarino, Taumarunui, Turangi, Taupo, Taihape and Wanganui areas, and they can hunt any where in the country but on past experience, will mostly concentrate on the Central Plateau and Waimarino, Wanganui areas down as far as Waitotara. Fish mustonly be caught in the Taupo and Taranaki Fish and Game regions, although Lake Otamangakau is off-limits as is the Hautapu and Rangitikei Rivers. Last year the prize

money available was split differently too, to give a wider range of hunters a chance at the money. As well as prizes for the heaviest boar, stag and trout there is equal money available

to the person who catches the animal closest to the average of all entries. "This should give hunters who don't have access to farm blocks a fair chance," said ahuntorgan-

iser, Joe Martin. He said in the past hunters who had such access easily scooped the pool as animals from these areas were much bigger than those in the forest parks and the national park. The total prize pool for the event this year is $6530, which matches the 1996 figure. The event is growing in popularity, with 143 hunters and anglers from as far away as Gisborne and Wanganui taking part last year, then described by one organiser as "the bestyet!" There were 22 red stags, 14 fallow deer and 21 boars J caught. About 40 children also competed in the heaviest possum, eel and/or rabbit. The highlight of the weigh-in day, which al- ! ways attracts plenty of support, was the deer carrying race. There were three categories in this section and the women 's section saw five entries, four up from last year. This year's weigh-in is from 1pm to 3pm, Easter Monday , 3 1 March, out the back of the Ohakune Hotel.