SHOOTING SEASON CLOSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20604, 1 July 1930, Page 12

SHOOTING SEASON CLOSES.

GOOD SPORT ENJOYED.

DUCKS ON THE INCREASE.

"In spite of tho fact that closer settlement is destroying its natural haunts, wild game is holding its own in tho province, and ducks seem to bo on tho increase," said Mr. F. E. MeKenzie. president of the' Auckland Acclimatisation Society, in roviowing tho duck, pheasant and quail; seasons, which closed yesterday. Sportsmen in the Awaiti district enjoyed one of tho best seasons for many years, nearly everyone shooting in tho Awaiti swamp obtaining limit bags on tho first two days of tho reason. Good sport was also experienced in tho Awaiti and To Aroha districts about 10 days ago, tho sovoro storm driving the ducks back from tho coast into tho swamps. The Boason in tho Mercer and WhangamarinO; districts was bettor than for some" years, past. The dry autumn meant that tho ducks woro not- woll scattered over the swamps at the beginning of tho season, but it also meant that mortality among the young ducktt was low. Phoasants wero slightly more plentiful this season than last, but tho Rodney County, wKich is one of the best areas in the district, was closed to shooting this season. Bags of quail wero not as good this season as usual but good sport was enjoyed in the Taumarunui district. One party obtained 170 quail and two pheasants m that district during a week-end.