GAME BIRDS PLENTIFUL

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 163, 26 June 1935, Page 11

GAME BIRDS PLENTIFUL

Acclimatisation Season THE PUKEKO RESTRICTION Indications of the increasing numbers of quail and pheasants in Hawke's Bay are given in the annual report of the president of the Hawke’s Bay Ac climatisation Society, Mr J. H. Edmundson. He also observes that grey duck are plentiful. Mr Edmundson’s report in regard to this matter states: —

Reports to hand from reliable sources indicate an increase in the number of pheasant and quail throughout the district, due chiefly to the fine weather prevailing during the hatching season. Grey duck are very plentiful, although the bags taken on the opening morning were smaller than usual, very few limits being taken, due to the fact that the opening morning broke too bright and fine.

In allocating the liberation of pheasant, particular attention was given to the nature of the district in which the birds were liberated. The society is fortunate in having certain enthusiastic members to assist in liberations in the outlying areas and others who are protecting the birds during the first season in order to breed and increase the number for shooting at some later period. Paradise Duck.—Reports to hand in dicate that these birds are increasi:.. rapidly, but your committee is of opinion the time has not yet arrived to warrant the removal of the restrictions at present imposed.

Pukeko. —There appears to be some confusion in the minds of the community in regard to the powers vested in acclimatisation societies. In the first place the matter of protection or otherwise of birds, fish or animals which come under the Animals Protection and Fisheries Acts is controlled entirely by the Department of Internal Affairs. The only part acclimatisation societies play is to investigate and report upon matters concerning their respective districts. So far as pukeko are concerned, under the provisions of the Animals Protection and Gamo Act, any person suffering damage to property, crops, etc., from the depredations of pukeko must apply direct to the Minister of Internal Affairs for permission to destroy them, setting out in the application full particulars of the damage being done and location of property. The request is then forwarded by the Minister to the local acclimatisation society for investigation and report. Upon receipt of the society’s approval the Minister issues the necessary permit forthwith. It may interest farmers in particular to know that on two occasions applications made by the society to the Department of Internal Affairs to, grant a short open season for the taking or killing of pukeko were turned down. No genuine application by farmers for permission to destroy pukeko causing damage to crops has been refused, a statement which may be confirmed by a great many farmers in this district. Chukor. —An attempt was made to raise chukor. Of two settings (26 eggs) procured, only four actually hatched and these have since died. A further attempt may be made next year. Y'our committee again took up with the Department of Internal Affairs the matter of providing more tracks to the various rivers and the clearance of scrub at suitable places along river banks to make available more fishing areas in the Taupo district. Angling clubs. —The thanks of the society are due to the HeretaungaKaramu, Mangatahi, Waipukurau and Dannevirke Anglers’ Clubs for their praeHesl Msistwee I* the Hbwetionof fry, ranging, reports of local fivers,