Central South Island > Hunting News  June 2007

Mark Webb, Fish and Game Officer.

Media coverage prior to opening again highlighted the merits of steel v lead shot along with improved hunting conditions provided by weather in the week before opening. As it turned out the weekend’s ranging indicated neither were significant issues. Without doubt there was greater acceptance by waterfowl hunters of the decision to move to non-toxic shot and the more friendly debate in the maimai revolved around which brands and loads were best. There were still a few die-hards refusing to accept steel shot and while they may be no less vocal they are becoming fewer. The weather backed the ducks with preseason rains ensuring more water available than could be covered by hunters.

Rangers were teamed up and assigned to intensive ranging in identified areas. They were provided with necessary ranging equipment including aerial photos and route maps to ponds in their areas and advice for dealing with general inquiries and “sticky” hunters.

Four offences were detected and will likely lead to prosecution - one of hunting without a licence and three of hunting with lead within 200m of open water. Hunter compliance at 92% was the same as last opening when seven prosecutions were taken (five for use of lead shot) and much better than 2005 when hunter compliance was only 73% and nine of 19 prosecutions were for use of lead.

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