DUCK SHOOTING

Southland Times, Issue 21073, 3 May 1930, Page 8

DUCK SHOOTING

SPORTSMEN’S SUCCESSES. CAMPAIGN OPENS WELL. A number nf sportsmen who returned from the initial shoot of the duck shooting season yesterday were able to report successful campaigns in the various favoured localities. Lochiel' was visited by a number of sportsmen and good quality ducks in fair quantities were found in that district. Several limit bags were taken, the ducks in most cases being in good condition through feeding on the oat crops. The weather was good in the Lochiel district yesterday and the sportsmen were able to venture out without greatcoats. The Waituna lagoon yielded good bags on the first day of the season, but the birds were much harder to approach yesterday and some sportsmen, who had secured limit bags on the first day, had to be content with three or four birds yesterday. Those who favoured Awarua Bay found fair numbers of birds there, but only average bags were secured. Several sportsmen secured good shooting on the estuary and the noise of guns heard all over the province indicates that duck.? are plentiful on many of the small streams and ponds. An old resident of Southland, when speaking of the shooting season yesterday, said that she remembered when the season commenced on April 1 and continued for six months. At that time anyone in possession of a gun could shoot to his heart s content, practically anywhere. She stated that she could remember her father saying that the season was much too long, and she expressed the opinion that present day sportsmen would’ have been more favourably situated if the six months’ season had been better observed 50 or 60 years ago. A report from Gore states that Mr J. Gardiner and party shooting near the upper reaches of the Mataura River secured 20 birds on Messrs Turner Bros.’ property. The ducks were very wild and most elusive. The morning was very w r et, rain falling consistently, but the shootists, although getting a proper soaking, thoroughly'enjoyed the respite, thanks to their hosts.