GAME SEASON.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18680, 1 May 1926, Page 16

GAME SEASON.

EXCELLENT PROSPECTS. DEMAND FOR LICENSES. "Wc are being rushed for licenses," snid Air C. W. Hervey, secretary 0 f the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, when a reporter made some enquiries of him yesterday, as to the prospects for the shooting season, which opens to-day. He said that the demand was considerably in advance of that of last year, and might reach record proportions. A »eniarkablc feature was tlie large number of people in North Canterbury who were applying for licenses. Grey duck and swans are plentiful at Lake Ellesmere, and Canadian geese are reported to be in fair numberi. The latter are very wild, and make off to a new locality, on being alarmed. The ordinary license for Native game may be procured at a cost of 10s. The season for grey duck and spoonbills extends from May Ist to June 30th. The regulations provide for a limit of 25 birds per gun per day. Black swans may be taken during the same period, but in their case "bags" have no legal limit. Canadian geese may be shot only during the month of May, only two birds per gun per day being allowed. For the shooting of paradise duck and pukeko, a week will be allowed, the season closing on May 7th, and the limit is five birds per gun per day. Sportsmen who take out a £1 license may shoot any of the above game, and in addition Californian quail from May Ist to July 31st (no limit), and godwits and knots from January Ist to March 31st. The season extends from May Ist to June 30th, and license holdors may legally shoot game from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.