Decoys Limited.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19373, 2 April 1935, Page 2

Decoys Limited.

SHOOTING REGULATIONS. CHANGES FOR COMING SEASON. Regulations for the shooting season Avhich opens on May 1 have been issued by the Department of Internal Affairs. Sportsmen Avill be able to peg out their stands after noon on April 6. There are feAV alterations in the regulations, compared Avith last season, one of the chief changes being the limitation of decoys in any one stand in the Auckland province to 10, while 15 is the limit elsewhere in the Dominion.

The decoys must be placed in an area 30yds. square, against 100yds. square last season. Again, no group of decoys may be placed within 100yds. of those of a neighbouring stand, whereas there was formerly no restriction in this regard. Although this may limit the number of stands in any one spot, it is thought that the new arrangement will lead to better sport. Another change is in the godwit season, which will extend through January and February, instead of February and March. There is also a closed season for pukeko. Floating pontoons and fixed stands are allowed only within 200yds. of the water’s edge on Lakes Waikare and Whangape. The limits set on a day’s bag for this year are the same as those in the previous season, namely, nine head of cock pheasant, 15 head in all of grey duck, spoonbill, mallard and black swan, and 20 head of godwit. A clause prohibiting the use of aeroplanes states that no person shall use or cause to be used any aeroplane in connection with the taking or killing of imported or native game, provided that the clause shall not be constructed to prohibit the use of. aeroplanes for travelling to or from a rendezvous. The clause prohibiting the use of power-boats states that no person shall use or cause to be used on any lake, pond, lagoon, mere, estuary, or other dead water, any power-boat for taking or killing by driving, chasing, frightening or. stalking any imported or native game. “Power-boat” is defined as “any launch, boat, canoe, or other similar .craft propelled wholly or partly by mechanical power.” The use of craft for travelling to a rendezvous is not prohibited, nor is shooting from a moored power-boat.