DUCK-SHOOTING SEASON

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 May 1941, Page 2

DUCK-SHOOTING SEASON

BIRDS PLENTIFUL BUT SHY

Although some limit bags wore reported, shooters in the Grey district generally found it difficult to get within range of the ducks during the shooting season which closed on Sunday. The ducks were plentiful, large mobs being seen in many parts of the district, but, probably as a result of the dry spell which had been experienced, they were mainly out on the river flats, in open country, which enabled them to take flight quickly when shooters approached or when guns', were heard. Many of the usual good holes for clucks were dried up for the greater part of the season and many shooters were disappointed when they returned to old haunts.

The ducks were easily frightened and almost invariably flew high, probably indicating that there had been some illegal shooting out of season in the favourite localities. The Rotomanu area and towards the headwaters of the Grey River appeared to yield the best returns in the Grey district. A large number of paradise duck was seen but comparatively few were shot, and the same applied to the black swan on the lakes.

The numbers of pukeko are obviously increasing throughout the district, although they took cover after the first few days of the season. The Grey District Acclimatisation Society issued about GO shooting licenses for the short season, about the same number as the previous year.