Good gamebird opening weekend predicted

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 684, 29 April 1997, Page 9

Good gamebird opening weekend predicted

FROM PAGE 8 have a safe gamebird season. Recent deer hunting accidents are vi vid reminders of what can happen if the safety rules are not followed. It only takes a split second for disaster to occur. The shotgun is a lethal weapon at close range and must be treated with the utmost respect at all times. Pellets will carry in excess of 200 metres when fired! Re-read your arms code before the season begins. 1. Never hunt with drinking shooters. The outdated traditional view of duck shooters on opening weekend was one of swilling whisky. This is highly dangerous and totally irresponsible. Be sensible and set a proper example to other shooters. 2. Never leave a loaded gun lying around where a dog could dislodge it or

stand on it - a safety catch can be knocked off. If your gun is not in your hands, break it open. 3. Be verv careful finishing off a crippled bird that has landed on the water. Pellets ricochet off water so be sure that a hunter on the other side of the pond isn't going to get peppered or an incoming gun dog shot. A. If shooting straight up in the air. keep your evesdown after the shot to prevent getting a pellet in your eye. 5. Never have a loaded shotgun in your hands when transferring from boat to a maimai or bank. Break the gun rather than j ust having the safety catch on. 6. Keep your ammunition dry. Be very hesitant about using cartridges from pockets that have

filled with rain water or cartridge belts exposed to heavy rain. A damp load could cause a wad to become stuck in the barrel. Keep a breakdown, threepiece cleaning rod in your day pack. Duck stamps 1997 is the fourth year of the gamebird stamp which is affixed to your hunting licence. This year it features black swan flying over Lake Ellesmere, near Christchurch. One dollar from every gamebird licence sold goes into a fund for restoring wetland and upland game habitat for gamebirds. Over the years the reduction in ponds, swamps and wetlands where gamebirds live and breed has been drastic. The stamp programme will provide funds to restore these areas. There are a variety of

stamp and print products available for waterfowlenthusiasts and stamp collectors, including first-day

covers, mint stamps, booklets and prints of the artwork. Here is a great opportunity to own a valu-

able collectors' item and put something extra back into the sport. So far 14 grants have been made at a

cost of $200,000. This investment has created or maintainedover lOOOhectares of wetland.