Otago > Hunting News May 08

Duck hunting ranging gets high tech

Fish & Game Otago made full use of the Webs free aerial mapping software in preparation for their ranging effort during opening weekend.

Compliance coordinator Ian Hadland said quality of the aerial maps on Google Earth® showed such great detail, it was possible to find small ponds and even see mai mai positions. Photos of the ponds, their location and access routes were printed and given to six ranging teams at a briefing early on the Saturday morning.

Mr Hadland said his rangers used to just blunder about, listening for shots and looking for vehicles but use of aerial maps by rangers is much more precise and efficient. Rangers now follow roads and tracks directly to ponds and approach mai mais from behind the firing zone, making ranging safer and more enjoyable.

Last year Fish & Game rangers used Google Earth to locate a pond in the Waitahuna area where they had received a tip off about some unlicenced shooters. The offenders were caught and one was later fined over $1500 and had his firearm confiscated. Publicity from this prosecution and a preseason media release on the use of Google earth for finding remote ponds must have worked as compliance was outstanding. Not a single no licence or lead shot case was found this season after interviewing 150 hunters.

.

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.