Appeal For Safe Shooting

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30121, 3 May 1963, Page 12

Appeal For Safe Shooting

(HZ,. Pres* Association) WELLINGTON, May 2. Suggestions for safe and enjoyable shooting during the gamebird season, which opens on Saturday, were made today by the Acting-Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath). . ,

Shootmg hours, bag limits and the species that could be shot varied among acclimatisation districts because of differing natural conditions. he said.

Conditions set out on shooting licences should be carefully read by sportsmen before the season began "I appeal to all sportsmen to be careful with firearms and to be sure they do not shoot protected birds. Every

yeat protected species are mistakenly shot,” he said

Mr Seath said that every year there were also distressing accidents caused by careless handling of guns If elementary precautions were taken, such as carrying guns open at the breach when with other shooters or in vehicles or boats accidents would be avoided

Drownings would also be avoided if sportsmen ensured their boats were to good condition and properly equipped if they avoided dangerous practices such as shooting or retrieving with a dog from boats and took care when wading through unknown waters

Mr Seath stressed that it was permissible to shoot game birds only when they were flying and he asked that efforts be made to retrieve all game shot Where possible a dog should be used for retrieving because it would avoid a wastage of game which could ill be afforded.

“1 emphasise also the importance of sending leg-bands from game birds to the address on the band, and of supplying details of where and when each bird was shot Much valuable information vital to the welfare of certain species can be gained from returned bands" To exploit the mallard duck population more fully it would be permissible to most acclimatisation districts to shoot five mallard drakes which were readily identified as well as the 10 head daily of mixed species normally allowed

Shooters must leave partridges strictly alone because they were protected and because it was hoped they would stay to the areas where they were liberated if not disturbed This year partridges were again liberated in many parts of the country to an effort to establish a very fine sporting bird where there was now little or no upland game.