PUKEKO A NUISANCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 4811, 16 July 1937, Page 3

PUKEKO A NUISANCE.

POSSIBILITY OF SHORT OPEN SEASON IN MANAWATU.

According to report, pukeko are becoming a nuisance in certain parts of the Manawatu. Mr T. Andmvs, ranger to the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, reporting to the Palmerston N. branch stated that every property from Bulls to Scott’s Ferry had more pukeko than' Avas desirable and frequent complaints were being made concerning the damage they were doing.

Mr G. A. Hobbs, of Foxton had written him as follows: “Pukeko are in very large numbers aU through this district and they are eating up most of the food that, should go toward the maintenance of the dueks and pheasants. The Moutoa swamp is just like a fowl run with these birds. If you go across the. Whirokino bridge to the Government Drain, just pull out your field-glasses and you will find in a very short range enough pukeko to fill half a dozen wool bales. I am working in the interests of better game, and if these birds are aUowed to breed to this extent then the better game will starve. If you will not allow them to be shot, then for the sportsman’s sake put down some pollard and poison for them. Reduce their numbers so that the dueks can survive.” It was decided to give serious consideration to the question of declaring a short open season for the taking of pukeko.