DUCK SHOOTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26770, 13 May 1948, Page 2

DUCK SHOOTING

Sir,—May I give an account of my experience of duck shooting on May 1? The story starts 12 months ago, when on the opening day I shot in the “ Pole Hole ” in the Taieri River, some four miles above Outram, and obtained a limit bag. This year my brother and myself pegged and built our mai-mai’s in the same place on April 1 at noon, in accordance with the Otago Acclimatisation Society’s regulations. Sixteen days later another party went to the same place, and although they had seen our’s, proceeded and built their’s in between and only some 40 yards from either mai-mai. On hearing this I approached the party concerned and warned them that there was not room for them to shoot between us and also that they were to keep their 100 yards distance in accordance with the regulations. I also approached the secretary of the society and explained to him the situation, and wanted him to warn them that they had to comply with the regulations. He did not seem to think that any action was necessary, and stated that the 100 yards distance was not a regulation; it was only a guide to sportsmen. On Saturday morning we duly arrived at our position some time before daylight, only to be followed by this other party. One man took up a position some 80 yards from mine, on an open beach, no cover whatsoever, and another on a high outcrop of rock 40 yards further on, Also no cover. From 6.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. these two proceeded to shoot at everything that came in sight, and to do their utmost to spoil our shooting, and I must say that they were fairly successful. At 8.30 another of the party moved down river to where the other two were, the three of them returning to join the fourth at 9.30. From 9.30 till 11.30 these four men proceeded to boil the billy and have a general picnic on the open beach 80 yards away and in full view of my mai-mai. During this period they fired many shots a‘ random. Their bag for the day consisted of three ducks among the four of them, for approximately 45 shots. I ask fellowsportsmen what their opinion is?—l am, etc., Licence No. 1022.

[When this letter was referred to Mr L. Miller, secretary of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, he declined to comment, but said that the proper course for the correspondent to adopt would be to make a formal complaint in writing to the society.—Ed. O.D.T.]