SHOOTING SEASON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 11

SHOOTING SEASON

OPENING ON MONDAY WANGANUI DISTRICT PROSPECTS DUCKS, PHEASANTS, QUAIL Oiled guns, the best of ammunition, serviceable attire, good dogs and a decidedly sound knowledge of the two commandments of the day: “Thou shalt not shoot without a licence” and “Thou shalt not tresspass,” are rne fundamental requirements of sportsmen at the beginning of May in NewZealand each year. The season opens on Monday, not the usual May 1 (to-morrow) because to-morrow is the Sabbath. Whether the duck, with that supposed instinct they have of impending doom on May 1, will fly to havens like Virginia Lake a day earlier this year than usual remains to be seen. If they do, then the fantastic foundation for a belief that these feathered game really do know man’s min j will suffer a setback. Instead of being fantastic that belief will have something real about it. Grey Ducks the Sport And there will indeed be many ducks to fly to Virginia Lake this year. That statement is not intended as a reflection on the ability of sportsmen to shoot as they should, but that there are many ducks in the Wanganui district. Actually there will be more sport after grey duck than in search of any other form of game. Yet ducks are not thriving in the Wanganui district as they should. The Wanganui Acclimatisation Society has repeatedly stressed the need for a close season for grey duck, but with other societies not falling into line little could be done to make a protective breeding season effective. The old days of teal duck have long since gone. Time was when all the creeks surrounding Wanganui city held large numbers of teal, and quite good sport could be got by doing the creeks with dog and gun. Mallard duck have increased in numbers along the Waverley-Foxton coastal areas, good bags being looked, for from the Waverley lake districts. Californian quail, wherever there is sufficient coverage of scrub, are fairly plentiful, though not quite so numerous as in the old bush-felling days. New burns were profitable feeding grounds for these birds. They move in flocks and when on the wing more than average skill with the gun is required to bring them down. Pheasants were favoured by the dry weather conditions this summer I and are reported to be more plentiful than usual. Coverage of scrub in the back country has been of benefit to them. Earthquakes disturb pheasants greatly and the calls of the cock birds can often be heard long before the rumble of an earth tremor can be heard by human ear.

Pukeko are reported to be plenti ful.

Weather conditions can make or mar a shooting season. The general opinion is that warm, light rain will enhance the prospects of duck shooting, hut windy weather is not conducive to good sport