Northland > Hunting News January 2008

Game bird hunting prospects

The summer holiday break usually signals hunters to prepare for the annual Shelduck, and now Canada goose special weekend. This hunting period, which usually takes place during the last week of February, is a management mechanism to help mitigate farm crop and grass production damage. Bag limits for this are usually based on the aerial trend count flights in January of each year, which allow Fish & Game to determine numbers that need to be harvested. An overall regional tally of acceptable numbers for species such as Swan, Shelduck and Canada goose can be determined when birds are counted from the air when these species are in their moulting phase.

The aerial count determines species population trends and is not an actual population count. Things such as weather patterns, breeding periods, harvesting and also diseases, determine factors changing the trend variables. Unless a clear picture of population trend is established Fish & Game managers can inadvertently over harvest species. Shelduck in particular are extremely susceptible to over harvest and populations can take years to recover. A sensible regionally spread population that provides hunters with ample opportunity as well as offering the rural community damage prevention is the goal so that hopefully all interested parties are taken into account.

Regionally this goal is being achieved as we hope to give added benefit to the hunting licence holder for many years to come.

Special Weekend conditions

- The Special Shelduck/Canada goose weekend is on the 23rd and 24th of February 2008.
- Hours of hunting are from 6.00am to 9.00pm for both days
- There is no hunting within 500 metres of any urban sewage oxidation pond.
- Absolutely no part (s) of any game bird (s) shot is to be wilfully left in the field when hunting.

Trend count figures from the 2008 January flight show that numbers are steady and that the Special weekend will proceed as planned.

Until next month when we have reports from the field, prepare your gear and have your possies organised.

Happy New Year, tight lines and straight shooting!

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