Ducks! duck!

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 241, 3 May 1988, Page 1

Ducks! duck!

Ducks who wish to be around to endure another winter would be well advised to keep their heads down this weekend. Yes, it's opening weekend of the 1988 game season. For ducks the danger time is from Saturday May 7 to Sunday July 3. From this year no duck is safe from Waimarino huriters anywhere. Along with the licence fee increase introduced this year is wider validity of the licence. Hunters can now use their licence anywhere in New Zealand with the exception of the Hawera Acclimatisation Society area No regulation changes have been made which would affect local hunters -except those hunting outside the Waimarino, who are advised to check local regulations. The law states that the owner or the occupier of a property is entitled to shoot on that property without a licence. Their

spouse and one son or daughter may hunt on the property also. Department of Conservation officers say they will be out in force on opening weekend to enforce this regulation in particular. In an effort to reduce paradise shelduck numbers the daily bag has been increased to 14 in the Taumarunui and Ohakune areas. This limit is in addition to the combined daily bag limit of 15 mallard grey and shoveller ducks. Conservation officers ask all hunters to identify all birds before shooting. There are a number of protected species in the district, including all shags and hawks. Conservation Officer John Heaphy suggests hunters also set their own limits, on their alcohol intake that is. "It is well nigh impossible to shoot accurately when you are well over the limit by 7.45 am on opening day," says Mr Heaphy. 'There are a lot of ducks around which promises

good hunting this season. Straight shooting and good luck," he says. Mr Heaphy also advises hunters to seek permission from landowners before hunting on any property.