Northland Fish & Game Outlines Summer Hunting Opportunities

Media release from Northland Fish & Game

Northland Fish & Game Outlines Summer Hunting Opportunities

Game bird hunters are being given the opportunity to help farmers disperse big flocks of paradise shelduck and pukeko that pose a threat to their paddocks and crops.

The summer season for paradise shelduck runs over the weekend of February 23 and Sunday 24, and for pukeko, February 23 through to March 3.

Northland Fish & Game regional manager Rudi Hoetjes says the summer season has been introduced to assist landowners who have groups of birds that are starting to feed on new grass and crops.

Paradise shelduck moult on large open water sites in January, and once the birds can fly again in February they tend to gather in groups. These flocks can potentially do a lot of damage to newly planted crops, and having a summer hunt outside the normal game season creates enough of a disturbance to disperse them into smaller flocks.

Mr Hoetjes also notes that the summer pukeko season not only helps farmers with crop damage, but also encourages hunters to target an often overlooked game bird.

“The special summer season demonstrates Northland Fish & Game’s efforts to work with land owners and local rural communities, and respond to their needs.”

The summer hunting season is open to all 2012 licensed game bird hunters. Others wishing to participate can buy a 24-hour game bird license at the Northland Fish & Game Office or participating sports stores.

ENDS

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