WET SEASON SET TO FIRE AS DARWIN’S WOMEN GET INVOLVED IN HUNTING GAME

WE have only three weeks to go of the shortest ever goose season that I can remember.

The magpie geese were late to turn up following a very good breeding season.

The third biggest Wet created a very long breeding event.

In May, when I flew over the Finniss to Moyle River transects in the Wet season aerial survey conducted by NT Parks and Wildlife staff, I saw vacant nests and young fledglings scurrying behind parent birds through the grass. Those nests were obviously built a few months earlier.

Other nests had parent birds building them or exposed eggs easily seen from 60m above.

I suspect on seeing how young some of the birds I have bagged since October that later breeding continued right into the Dry season. This is why a Dry season count would have given the best information about the overall population this year.

The good rains we have had since October 1 have been very encouraging. It is looking like La Nina will kick in as predicted and we will have another good Wet season.

If this occurs, breeding will continue unabated. I am doubtful the majority of the magpie geese that went on holidays to Queensland, NSW and Western Australia will return.

If La Nina also creates good rainfall in those states there will be no environmental trigger though to send them home to us.

What has been encouraging is the number of Grey Teal turning up around Shoal Bay.

It may be the incentive to hunt duck that is creating what I term to be ‘a vagrant’ in the Top End becoming familiar in hunter’s bags.

The other big positive has been the emergence of the Darwin Women who Hunt and Fish Facebook page.

This is a sensational development that shows that hunting is not confined to macho rednecks, but is in fact acceptable and fun for our fair ladies.

The best thing is that the mothers of our future generations will be teaching sons and daughters the joy of the outdoors, hunting and making a meal from those adventures to be shared together. I can see that hunting is in good hands.

Damo from Coolalinga Guns and Ammo reported that Lambell’s Lagoon was on the improve, lots of black duck in the billabongs at Shoal Bay and geese still working over the windfall left after the mango harvest.

Grant at Fishing and Outdoor World was out at Harrison Dam last Sunday arvo but had to scatter before a storm hit. He saw birds flying but expected more would have got up after the storm when it would have been closer to the evening flight time.

“Lambell’s Lagoon is performing better now and Shoal Bay will have even more duck and geese following the 8m tide on Tuesday evening,” he said.

Weekly rainfall recorded to Thursday morning: Gunn Point 21mm, Howard Springs Nature Park 96mm and Middle Point 69mm.

NT Field and Game are holding the special Sunday practice this morning from 9am till noon. Normal weekly Friday night practice continues at the NT Field and Game range, Mickett Creek Shooting Complex, Brandt Rd, Knuckey Lagoon. This is the best place for hunters to get all the Goose Gossip every week. The Christmas shoot is on next Sunday from 8am. Join Field and Game, www.ntfieldandgame.com.au Join SSAA, www.ssaa.org.au Join Australian Deer Association www.austdeer.asn.au Like NT Field and Game on Facebook. Email: ntfieldandgame@gmail.com Or fnflodge1@bigpond.com