Hunters can help scatter paradise ducks

Hunters can help scatter paradise ducks

A special two-day hunting season has been declared for paradise shelduck in the Taranaki and Whanganui provincial areas – as Fish & Game assists local farmers to move congregating flocks of the birds.

The special season runs from 6.30am on Saturday, March 2, until 7.30pm on March 3 in Game Management Areas B and C only, with a daily bag limit of 10 paradise shelduck per hunter.

Fish and Game officer Allen Stancliff says the aim is to disperse paradise shelduck back to their home territories after their annual moult.

"This reduces the potential for mobs of the birds to cause damage to recovering hay paddocks, chicory crops and areas of new grass prior to the main gamebird hunting season in May."

To participate in the special season, hunters must hold a 2012 game bird hunting licence and obtain a $5 permit from Fish and Game or their local licence agent. The permit is free to land owners or occupiers who choose to hunt on their own land.

Mr Stancliff says it’s a special game bird hunting season for paradise shelduck only, and all other game birds remain protected. Fish & Game rangers will be out checking on compliance over the two days.

He warns that any hunters found to be shooting protected species, shooting more than their limit of paradise shelduck, or using or possessing 12 gauge lead shot within 200m of water will be prosecuted – exactly as they would in the main game bird hunting season.

Penalties include a maximum fine of $5,000 and possible forfeiture of shotguns and hunting equipment.
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