Central South Island > Hunting News May 2008

“Google ponds” are not always duck ponds.
Mark Webb, Fish and Game Officer.

Law enforcement by staff and Honorary Rangers on Saturday the 3rd produced less offences than expected mainly due to lack of hunters on the “googled” ponds.

Four teams of rangers checked  21 ponds. 37 hunters were interviewed resulting in offence notices being issued for using  lead shot (2) and one for hunting without a licence. 12 ponds were devoid of hunters.

Harvest results  were not as good as the hunters thought it should have been and perhaps the “big dry” had taken its toll with ducks vacating the area in search of better habitat.

As an incentive for rangers we invite them to one of the duck shooters breakfasts held in local pubs. We usually arrive well after the hunters have departed so they aren't forewarned. Unfortunately it didn't work this time - the first pond we came to was fully compliant and they said they were expecting us. I was a bit taken aback as even the rangers did not know where we were going until that morning. When asked how they new the reply was they had read the booking list for breakfast at the pub!

There are two lessons here. One, don't book under your usual name or two, book meals for Fish and Game at all duck shooters breakfasts all over the region and then have the day off!. 

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