FISHING, SHOOTING, AND TRAPPING.

Shannon News, 16 August 1927, Page 4

FISHING, SHOOTING, AND TRAPPING.

REPORT OF THE ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

GOOD STALKING ON THE TARARUAS.

Much information’ of interest to sportsmen is contained in the 42nd annual report of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, a copy of which lias been handed to us by Mr C. 11. Bould, of Levin, who is the Horowhenua representative on the Council. LIBERATING OF PHEASANTS. Pheasant rearing at the game farm in the Hutt Yalley was carried on with only moderate success during the past season. Stock birds laid freely and hatchings were satisfactory, but cold and wet weather conditions took heavy toll of the young birds. Two hundred birds were reared at the farm, but a great many more were purchased from various sources, and the total number liberated was 727, while 510 were kept for liberation this month. Of the former number, 30 cocks and 20 hens were sent to Levin. Further efforts will be made to establish pheasants in all suitable parts of the society’s district, favourable reports having been received of the increasing number to be flushed in the Rangitilcei area and in the Manawatu, Hutt Valley and Wainui areas. It is pointed out that as long as stoats, ferrets dnd weasels are protected, game can only be available to a limited degree by continuous re-stocking. The importation of quail of various breeds

is still barred by the Departments in control, and several recent attempts by the Auckland, North Canterbury and Otago Societies, to introduce game birds (chuekor and partridge) have failed. TROUT DISTRIBUTION. With regard to pisciculture, the report states that, in view of the previous unsatisfactory results ifroim the trapping of local rivers, and of the offer of unlimited brown trout ova at a reasonable price per thousand, the Council decided to order one and aquarter million brown ova from the Southland Society and 100,000 rainbow from Otago (Lake Hawea) From the browm ova 1,157,000 fry were reared and distributed, the Levin committee receiving 50,000. Among the brown yearlings distributed, 500 were, sent to Levin and 500 to'Otaki. For the present season the Council has ordered a million brow’ll ova from Southland (Lake Te Anau) and a quarter of a million from Otago -waters for the purpose of introducing fresh strains. With the same intention 120,000 rainbow ova have been ordered from the Department of Internal Affairs from fish taken and stripped » .in the Taupo waters. OPOSSUM TRAPPING.

The result of the operations in opossums for the 1926 season set up a fresh record, both in licenses issued and number of skins® taken, viz., licenses 437, skins 58,868. In addition, 70 permits to trap as bona fide occupiers were issued, and approximately 500 persons were out. The expert trappers did good work, and made a harvest, and the nonexperts made moderate catches. Taking the Dominion season as a whole, about .eleven thousand skins were taken in excess of the 1925 total. For this season the dates in the Wellington district, viz., July 20th to August 31st, are the same as for last year, it having been proved that, taken as a whole, the fur is in better condition over the above period. All the lands in the Wellington district other than sanctuaries, are available subject to permits from Departments controlling such, and to the written consent of owners. It is confidently anticipated that in the near future the ban upon the liberation of opossums will be lifted, in the case of isolated forest areas. RED DEER SHOOTING.

The 1927 stalking season opened six days later than for last year, viz., on March 26th, closing on May 31st. The stags commenced to roar only a few days prior to the opening date, but it is difficult to judge correctly the best period for stalking, as in several different parts of the Society’s districts the rutting season differs, and again, much depends upon a wet or dry autumn. The list of heads taken to May 7tli is not as lengthy as in previous seasons owing to the partial elimination of some Wai-rarapa-country, but the quality of the heads is steadily improving owing to the drastic culling which has taken place, principally on the large holdings in the counties of Wairarapa South and ■ Featherston. ME GAPPER’S TROPHY.

The best heads came from the Ohau country, the best spreads from the Tiritea, and the greatest number from beyond Taihape. The “daddy of them” all was the 20-pointer taken in the Ohau by Mr G. F. Gapper, of Levin, an illustration of which is published with - the report. Many others were good. At the closing of the report one hun- • dred and sixty-three licenses had been issued, having a nett value of £317 17s. The heads taken on the Tararuas were as follow: Paraparaumu.—l 14-pointer, 1 12pointer, 1 11-pointer, 1 10-pointer; total 4. Ohau.—l 20-pointer, 1 19-pointer, 1 18-pointer, 2 15-pointers, 2 14-pointers, 3 12-pointers, 1 11-pointer, 1 10-pointer; total, 12. The 19-pointer was a very fine, even head. Most of the other heads taken were heavy heads of the true Warnliam Court type. Shannon.—l 13-pointer. A good, f heavy head. Tokomafu.—l 12-pointer. Tiritea. —1 17-pointer, 1 14-pointer, 1 13-pointer; total 3. . Mangahao.—l 13-pointer, 1 12-point-er, 2 10-pointers; total, 4. GAME SHOOTING SEASON. The season of 1926 was in many respects satisfactoiy. Ducks were plentiful, but .difficult to take; other game was to be found in most places. Licenses issued constituted a record, viz., 1430—net value £1360 7s. The season . of 1927 opened on the 2nd of May, as the statutory day fell on Sunday. The usual posters were distributed throughout the Society’s district and, roughly, 650 copies of list of protected birds and ah equal number of lists of regulations were issued with licenses until the supply was exhausted. „In the Levin district 2 guns took 40

duck (limit), 4 guns 57 (Buller Lake)

. Other bags were 2 guns 25, and 4 guns •72 (first day). On McDonald’s La-

goons 3 guns took 52 duck and 2 guns 30 (first day).

In several places—Levin, Rangitikei, Unr>er Hutt, etc. —pheasants have been taken—best bags 2 brace and many single birds.

A number of quail have been taken, some in Jlutt. Valley. Generally, whilst no record bags were 4 aken in any class of game, except at Levin, everyone got some, and appear to be satisfied. LEVIN COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

The following extract is published from the report of the Levin Commit-

.tec: — Fishing.—The fishing season in the early part was good in all streams, the Otaki being exceptionally good in the lower reaches. This Branch wish to thank the Council for liberal supply of yearlings and fry, which .vere successfully liberated by the ranger throughout this district. Deer.—The deer stalking season has been exceptionally good, practically every stalker obtaining a good trophy, undoubtedly the best heads taken throughout, the Dominion this season have been obtained in the Levin district. Game Shooting Season.—Shooting generally has been patchy, ducks were plentiful in the early stages, hares were fairly plentiful. Quail are very scarce, and very few were taken by. sportsmen. About 80 pheasants were liberated in this district, they appear to be on the increase in places and a number of sportsmen obtained a brace or two.