Media release from North Canterbury Fish & Game

Fish & Game calling all hunters

17 June 2013

Media Release

Fish & Game calling all hunters

Fish & Game North Canterbury are encouraging all licenced game bird hunters to get out hunting this coming Saturday, in an effort to disperse game birds which may have flocked up over the weeks since the beginning of the season.

“For some reason this time of the season triggers behavioral changes in game birds and they have a tendency to flock in large numbers”, according to North Canterbury Fish & Game’s Dirk Barr.

“The shortest day hunt concept is about encouraging as many of our duck hunters out for a shot; all on the same day, in an effort to get those ducks moving. The more hunters that are out there, the more unsettled the ducks will be.

Survey’s conducted by Fish & Game since the beginning of the game bird season have indicated there are healthy populations of mallards in the region and this, coupled with the recent wet weather, should make ideal conditions harvesting game birds.

The shortest day hunt is also about encouraging new hunters to the sport and promoting game bird hunting as an exciting and rewarding recreational resource. Mr Barr adds “remind your fellow hunters, and tell all your mates who are thinking about getting into game bird shooting, that now is the time. Let’s all get out there and have a good hunt”.

For hunters in the Ellesmere area, Fish & Game will be hosting a BBQ at Wolfes Road from 10am Saturday.

Fish & Game remind all hunters to please hunt ethically and responsibly. More info can be found online at www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-new-zealand or the game bird regulations booklet, available from all good hunting stores.

Background:-

‘Shortest Day Hunt’ – Closest Saturday to the winter solistice (shortest day)

You MUST have a valid Game Bird Licence to hunt game bird species.

Mallard season: 4 May – 28 July 2013.

Hunting times: 6.45am – 6.30pm.

Pegged maimai rules: Any stand not occupied by the claimant within one hour after the opening hour of hunting, on any day, can be occupied by another licence holder for the remainder of the day.

ENDS

© Scoop Media