GUN CLUB REMUS

Taupo Times, Volume 11, Issue 78, 15 July 1953, Page 1

GUN CLUB REMUS

ROTOKAWA DUCK SHOOTING The Taupo Rod and Gun Club presented a remit at the Annual Wildlife Confeience held at Turangi on July 4th. asking for the opening of Lake Rotokawa to shooting. Supporting th,e remit, Mr L. Stephenson stated that it had been claimed hy the Departnient that the Lake was n.ecessary as a sanctuary foir the ducks, but the Club believed that sufficient natural sanctuaries were provided in various places by the Waikato River itstelf. There was not a great deal of duck shooting at the northern end of the Lake and the Club felt that the Rotokawa shooting should be mad,e available. In recent years some systematie poaching oi ducks had been done at Rotokawa, and it was alleged that in February last over a hundred ducks had been hunted down by dogs in the flapper stage. Other speakers considered that the piesence of Lake Taupo itself provided sufficient sanctuary foir th(e ducks. They could be seen there in large numbeis after the shooting opened. After discussion, Mr G. F. Yer.ex (Controller, Wildlife Division) said that the Departinent would have a report made by the officer concerned with duck shooting, and examine the position in the light of such report. Liberatioii of Chukor. An other Taupo Rod and Cun Club remit sought information on what steps had been taken toward liberating chukor in the Taupo area. Ma1 A. Pye stated that four years ago the Hon. Mr Bodkin had said that the country seemed suitable. He had reccntly received information as to the successful liberation of chnW ^

one of the Hawaiian Islands at an elevation of fifteen hunda^d feet. This indicated that they were not necessarily birds of the sub-Alpine rock screes only. There were areas m the Mokai district, and elsewhere, oi open tussock country, which in his opmion would be ideal for chukor. In discussion, it was stated that attempts hitherto made to introduce chukor mto the North Island had fail11 had been found difficult to secure eggs from the South Island areas where the chukor was establish8 Mr G- Yerex said the Department had no ieeling against liberating chukor, but there were difficulties. Fhey were already investigating- the possibilities of introducing anothea* species of the partridge famdy. Mr G. L. O'Halloran (ActingSecretary, Internal Atfairs) while saying that he did not know of any nndertakmg by the Minister as to the liberation oi chukor, stated that the :Department would obtain all information possible on the matter. Shooting on Farm Developments. Mr- Pepperell spoke in connection with recent restrictions placed by the Lands and Survey Department on shooting over fairm developm.ent lands in the district. The Club new that tiouble had been experienced with wandering dogs worrying sheep, but it was felt that it should b.e possible to allow sportsmen to shoot on the lands without causing loss or damage to stock of that sort. With the increasing development going on it would be a seirious thing for sportsmen if all aceess for shooting was to be barred. After discussion, it was suggested that an approach hy the Club to the Lands Department authorities would probably result in a solution of the problem.