SHOOTING SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22725, 11 May 1937, Page 15

SHOOTING SEASON

THE HYBRID DUCK SPORTSMEN'S VIEWS DIFFER Sportsmen in the Manawatu and Rangitikei districts this season have noted an increase in the number of hybrids between mallard and grey duck, and a gradual tendency each successive season for the salient characteristics of either bird td predominate less and less pronouncedly. This is held by some sportsmen to foreshadow the ultimate disappearance of the grey duck, which they maintain will vanish as a pure bird. There is much to be said for the mallard as against the grey duck as a sporting bird, says the Wellington Evening Post. It is harder to shoot, because it will not come down to decoys, arid is generally more suspicious. Moreover, it is a heavier, more handsome bird than the native grey duck. Those who have the interests of native birds at heart think that the mallard should be exterminated, so as to keep the native duck pure, but sportsmen are far from sure—if the breeds mixed so thoroughly as to form a complete strain of hybrids, provided that such hybrids would breed —that the resultant bird would not be a gain. COMFORTABLE QUARTERS BOAT BUILT AT PAPAKURA The discomfort which often is an in separable accompaniment of duck shooting has been obviated by two Papakura residents, Mr. J. Richardson and Mr. W. Kitson, who decided to do away with the usual brush mai mai and gum boots, and build a special boat which would answer many of the problems of the duck shooter —transport, sleeping accommodation and a shooting station. To answer their requirements they designed an iron boat. The frames are of angle iron welded together and covered with sheet iron and the boat is 14ft. long and 6ft. beam. The cabin is lined with wood. It ig, fitted with bunks, tables and an up-to-date galley, and is lit with electric light. Two shooting hatches are provided on deck. A seven horse-power engine drives the boat along at about seven knots. To while away the hours between shooting a gramophone is carried. Mr. Richardson and Mr. Kitson returned from their first trip a few days ago with 77 birds.