Duck shooters’ guns confiscated
Southland Fish & Game rangers are disappointed after they found several duck shooters hunting without a licence at the weekend, resulting in shotguns being confiscated.
However, a police media spokesperson said the Southern District Command Centre was not aware of any issues across the provinces regarding duck shooting over the weekend.
Southland Fish & Game manager Zane Moss said yesterday morning ‘‘at least half a dozen’’ hunters had been caught hunting without a licence.
Some were in the Te Anau basin and some in Western Southland, he said.
Duck shooting without a licence was a breach of the Wildlife Act, and could be considered for the fit-and-proper person test when people applied for a renewal of their firearms licence.
‘‘We’ve been trying to get that message across to people, because they see it as a bit innocuous but there are implications,’’ Moss said.
Compliance across Southland had been better than in previous years.
There had been plenty of ducks around but the mostly still weather across the region made for trickier hunting.
‘‘Even a bit of a breeze would have helped. It’s been pretty frustrating.’’
Overall, hunters were satisfied by the sheer numbers of ducks seen, and it was great seeing plenty of families out enjoying themselves, with several hunters reporting limit bags.
But compliance was better further north in Otago, where rangers reported no issues.
Hunters were pleased to be finally out hunting, and rangers noted that Covid-19 rules were being followed and compliance was excellent so far.
This year’s season was delayed by three weeks because of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Hunters reported that the lead-up to the delayed 2020 season start had been exciting, with the best numbers of birds seen frequenting their ponds in many years, Fish & Game said.