Plenty of ducks—if the weather is right

Press, 3 April 1980, Page 1

Plenty of ducks—if the weather is right

Given suitable bad weather, Canterbury duckshooters should have plenty of targets when the 1980 season opens on Saturday, April 19. The duck population has thrived throughout the province, and there is plenty of suitable water for- shooters, according to the president of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society (Mr W. J. McKillop). “It all points to a good season if the weather is right.” he said. Unusually good weather for most of last season allowed'the ducks to fly high — a more suitable target for an anti-aircraft

gun than a shotgun, as one shooter remarked. As a result,-bags were small and the duck numbers were not reduced to the extent that the Acclimatisation Society would have liked. The large duck population has been left each year with fewer suitable habitats and diminished food resources. By having sportsmen control the population, acclimatisation societies hope to avoid the prospect of large numbers of ducks dying from starvation -or .disease. This season will fun from April 19 to June 29 for ducks and pukekos,

giving shooters 10 weeks and 11 week-ends. Game licences will cost the same as last year — $l2 for an adult licence and $3 for a junior one. As in .the last few seasons, however, . shooters will have to bag a lot more birds to get their money’s worth. The greatest price increase has been in shotgun amfnunition. Five years ago, a wasted shot meant only 10c or 12c lost. Two years ago it was 40c. This year, cartridges will cost up to $12.75 for a box of 25, or a little more than 50c a shot. Three years ago, shooters could buy a reasonable

side-bv-side shotgun new for $l5O. This year, the price range is from about $230 to $3OO. This season’s bag limits are: Grey duck, 25; shoveller (or spoonbill) duck, 5; mallard, duck, 25; paradise duck, two in low country, six in high country. The limit on a mixed bag. is 25. ■ ' The bag sizes for other game birds are: California quail, no limit; pukeko, two north of the Ashley River, four south of the Ashley River; cock pheasant, one; chukor, no limit; Canadian goose, no limit.