Central South Island > Hunting News May 2008

Lake Wainono navigation regulations. 
Graeme Hughes.

Signage on the access track into Lake Wainono shows in graphics that outboard motors and sails are prohibited on Lake Wainono.

The first hunter interviewed on opening day arrived in a slashing rain storm, without the rhythmic squeak of oars just the barely audible whirr of an electric trolling motor. While checking licence details I casually inquired if he had dispensation to use a motor on Lake Wainono. I think the question was expected as he wheeled around, slightly agitated and gave me his  40 year hunting history on the lake, how he travelled every year from the Otago region and now retired in Waimate only a few kilometres away how hunting Lake Wainono was very important to him. The motor was a safety issue. His motor was slow quiet and did not disturb the wildlife. I couldn’t disagree with anything he said. On one hand I was thinking. “Good on you mate! Retiring to a town close to his duck hunting, top marks!”  In my experience hunters with that many years of duck shooting tucked under their cartridge belt are few. Most have hung up their waders, gifted his 12 gauge to the grandson and early morning hunts were just a fond memory. However, even though Fish&Game had no input into the regulation regarding powered vessels, and I can imagine the furore amongst the Wainono hunters  if someone completed a few orbits in a jet boat, I could see good reason for some sensible ruling on the type of boat which could be used. 

The subject of the electric motor was brought to may attention by another hunter later in the day and after making my own inquiries I got the impression that small motors would be acceptable to some but not to others, numerically more “against” than “for”.  I soon realised I had prodded a “sleeping dog”.  The use of motor boats was an issue, the use of motor boats was creating considerable ill feeling and  the situation needed “sorting”.

I contacted one of the Regional Councils enforcement officers and related the situation and subsequent conversations with hunters . Surprise surprise!  this is the information I was given.

Subject: RE: Powered vessel on Lake Wainono.

The answer is use of the electric trolling motors is now approved in the Wainono Lagoon, as well as all other waters not specifically mentioned below.  This was a new change to the Bylaws which came into force on 1 December 2007 as follows:

 
(1) Notwithstanding the definition of “powered vessel” or “powered craft”, the restrictions on navigating powered vessels or powered craft in Non-powered Craft Areas in Part 11, Part 12 and Part 13 shall not apply to the use of up to 24 Volt battery powered electric trolling motors at vessel speeds of less than 5 knots.

(2) The exemption for electric trolling motors in Clause 4.6(8) shall not apply to Lake Alexandrina, Lake Clearwater (Punataka), Lake Camp (O Tau tata), The Maori Lakes (O Tu Wharekai), Lake Emma (Kiri kiri honuhonu), Lake Heron (O Tu Roto), Spider Lakes, Lake Donne, Lake Roundabout, Lake Denny, Lake Trinity, Lake Emily, Seagull Lake, Manuka Lake, and Mystery Lake.
 

Even though Wainono is an area reserved for paddle craft only, it is in Part 12, and is not one of those above where the exemption does not apply, so the motors are permitted.

The exemption for use of the trolling motors was in fact intended for just such a use where, for example, older duck shooters were struggling to get across lagoons.

Unfortunately the present signage is not very informative and will need to be more detailed. There could be a run on electric boat motors in the Waimate area next season. 

back to Both Barrels

If you would like to be kept in touch with Gamebird hunting news and other hunting information, please sign up for Both Barrels, our Gamebird hunting email newsletter.