POND FEEDING OF DUCKS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27916, 13 March 1956, Page 20

POND FEEDING OF DUCKS

OPPOSITION BY COUNCIL OF SOCIETIES

The Council of South Island Acclimatisation Societies reaffirmed its opposition to the feeding of game for shooting, by six votes to three, at the annual meeting held yesterday at Ashburton. The remit, put forward by the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, was the subject of a fairly long discussion. Stating its reasons for the remit, the North Canterbury society said that concern was felt at the possible effect of the relaxation of the provisions of the Wildlife Act, 1953. relating to pond feeding which could seriously menace the survival of an adequate duck population. “If pond feeding were permitted a person could, for the expenditure of £1 or £2 on grain, attract the birds in droves.” said a member of the Wildlife Division of the Department of Internal Affairs. Wholesale slaughter would result as the birds would have their natural fears dispelled because they had been fed two or three weeks before the season opened. Because of pressure from one district the law in regard to pond feeding had been undermined to a serious extent, said Major G. F. Yerex, Con-

troller of Wildlife. Pond feeding had been outlawed because it not only drew ducks which naturally belonged to that pond but also ducks from other ponds and rivers. Southland was one of the first societies to press for the elimination of pond feeding, but with the operation of the catchment board and the draining of swamps the situation was changed entirely, said Mr W. F. Clouston. If feeding was permitted it was possible that most of the I province’s 2000 shooters would get a few birds, but the days of wholesale slaughter were definitely over. “The first year pond feeding was not permitted in the Ashburton society’s district the number of licences i dropped by 50 per cent.” said Mr G. Kelly. Later the society was granted a permit for pond feeding as the circumstances differed from those in the surrounding areas. The ducks ■ i could not be kept in the Ashburton : district unless some feeding was allowed, concluded Mr Kelly.