Fish & Game issues end of mallard season reminder

Media release from Eastern Fish & Game

Fish & Game issues end of mallard season reminder

Hunters are reminded that the season for dabbling ducks – including mallards – ends in the Eastern Fish & Game Region this Sunday (June 17th).

Eastern Region Senior Fish & Game Officer Matt McDougall says the four week season for NZ Shoveler has already closed, however paradise shelduck can be hunted until the beginning of July or longer for some hunting areas, and black swan until the last weekend in August (See Game Bird Hunting Guide 2012).

He says that veterans and keen novices will know that these closures don’t mean packing up for winter, as upland game birds including pheasant and quail, and pukeko can still be hunted until August 26th.

Mr McDougall says the seasons set by the Eastern Region Council for the different species are not arbitrary, they’ve been set based on ongoing population studies, including hunter surveys, and monitoring through trapping and banding work around the region. “We took a conservation approach based on our findings that while there were plenty of juvenile mallards and grey duck, adults were down in number.”

The regulations provide for fines up to $5000 for shooting a game bird out of season, so it’s well worth taking some care to identify your target, he adds.

Mr McDougall says with those penalties in mind, hunters are reminded to check the bag limits and the seasons for the areas they intend to hunt upland game birds. Check your regulation booklet for these details or the Fish & Game website www.fishandgame.org.nz

Fish & Game still wants to hear from hunters who harvest any birds with bands – by writing, phoning or emailing with details of the bird and its band number.

ends

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