LIBERATION OF PHEASANTS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1931, Page 7

LIBERATION OF PHEASANTS

POLICY DEBATED AT STRATFORD.

SOCIETY MEMBERS DISAGREE.

The policy of the council of the Stratford Acclimatisation Society in liberating pheasants just before the shooting season . commenced was . discussed at the annual meeting of the society last night when, after lengthy consideration,, a motion and a recommendation to the incoming council, both designed to alter the present policy, were defeated. The point was raised by Mr. C. Massey, who was definitely opposed to the counciFs policy on the grounds that the liberation of birds prior to the shooting season meant that the number of birds was greatly reduced during the season, thus militating against any natural increase. He considered that the birds should not be put out until after the season had closed. They would then have a chance to become established and would be really wild for the following season. “If Mr. Massey / attended the meetings of the council he would know that we have tried to rear the largest possible number of birds without, depending on the natural increase, which is a very doubtful element, and I do not think it contributes much to the number of birds at liberty,” said Mr. R. R. Knewstubb, who main; tained that hawks and vermin killed the young birds as fast as they were hatched. Mr. Massey said he had not been notified that he had been elected a vice-presi-dent at the annual meeting and consequently was unaware that he was entitled to attend meeting of the council. The secretary, Mr. G. A. Carter, said a potice was posted to Mr. Massey. “I did not receive it,” Mr. Massey reP 1 E. H. Kivell stated, that the council had pursued a policy which it considered would result in the greatest possible number of birds being liberated. “I do not agree that the birds become tamp and are easy marks after they are liberated”.said Mr. A. J. Davey, who breeds pheasants for the society. Wild creatures, he said, had to be kept a long time before they became really tame and even then would soon revert to their natural traits after being liberated. “When the birds are liberated in January they have three months in which to become wild.” Mr. Massey moved tbat it bo a recoin, mendation to the incoming council to liberate all birds after the eeason. had closed. Despite what had been said he thought that there would be some natural increase. . The difficulty was that it . cost money to keep the birds'and if they had to be kept the extra three months the society would not be able to breed so many, Mr. Knewstubb said. He had helped to liberate the birds and it was noticeable that those which had been kept for some time were able to fly only very short distances when first liberated and soon became exhausted, whereas the younger birds were lively and got away well. “If we adopt this recommendation we will have to procure more plant and increase the number of pens,” said the chairman, Mr. T. Richardson. t The recommendation was rejected. Mr. J. Petrie moved that birds released before the season be liberated on protected areas. . ‘ Mr. Knewstubb said the so’Galled protected areas were not closed to all sportsmen as he knew of cases where owners of such properties invited a few of their friends to shoot on the properties which were closed to the average sportsman. He considered that the council should liberate pheasants where everyone had an opportunity to shoot them. “I have been accused of not advising people where the birds have been liberated/* he said, out I have told any license holder who has asked me.” Five members voted each way on the motion, so the chairman cast his vote to retain the present policy.