Nelson/Marlborough Hunting News June 11

500 Plus Geese Taken In Last Canada Goose Hunt
By Lawson Davey Fish and Game Officer

The Fish and Game organised Molesworth Canada Goose Hunt held over Queen’s Birthday Weekend was a great success. A total of 516 Canada Geese were shot by the 100 or so hunters who attended. In addition numerous rabbits, hares, ferrets and possums were also dispatched.

Normally 150 hunters attend the winter hunt (compared with up to 280 hunters for the Spring and Autumn Hunts) but this year hunter turnout was lower than usual. Disruption by Canterbury Earthquakes and a bad weather forecast were major reasons. Despite having fewer hunters than normal, this is one of the better tallies for a winter shoot in recent years.

The weather had a large part to play for the excellent result, with extremely mild temperatures for this time of the year. Normally we have to contend with snow, ice and freezing temperatures but this winter we had to contend with sand-flies and white legs as many stripped down to t-shirts and shorts! It is likely that bird numbers were higher than usual for the winter shoot as usually a proportion of the Molesworth Goose population vacates the area and heads to Ellesmere for the winter. With it so mild many may have stayed longer than usual. The mild temperatures also meant that a number of tarns that are often frozen at this time of the year were still being used by birds which made them easier to hunt.

Canada Goose Decision – What does it mean for the hunter?
As a result of the Minister of Conservation removing Canada Geese from the Game Schedule and placing them on Schedule 5, Canada Geese are no longer classified as a game bird and therefore no longer managed by Fish and Game. This decision took effect on the 9th of June 2011. It should be noted that is isn’t the first time Canada Geese have been removed from the Game Schedule. The costs associated with monitoring and management/control will now fall on landowners, rate payers (if Regional Councils decide to manage them) and the taxpayer as many of the populations are on Department of Conservation administered land and calls have already been made by Fed Framers for DoC to assist with monitoring & control.

Now geese are no longer game birds, Fish & Game will no longer organize goose hunts unless costs are met. While many are keen to see the goose hunts continue there are many issues to address. Fish & Game hasn’t completely ruled out still having some involvement in future, but it could only be done on a cost recovery basis.

Technically a licence is no longer required to hunt Canada Geese. There is also now nothing to stop someone using lead shot over water when hunting them (which raises a number of issues itself, given the reasons for restricting lead shot where waterfowl are present). This simple view however is complicated by the definition of game bird hunting. If other game species are present (which I would suggest is likely) anyone hunting Canada Geese using gear suitable for game bird hunting would be wise to ensure they hold a game bird licence and adhere to F&G regulations regarding lead shot etc. This is because anyone found hunting in an area where other game birds are present would need to demonstrate to a Court’s satisfaction that they were not hunting game birds. Hunting offences under the Wildlife Act are strict liability; that is the Crown only needs to demonstrate the ingredients of the offence, not the intent of the offender. Even if you intended to hunt only Canada geese, if using lead shot within 200m of a waterway you would likely be in breach of the Wildlife Act.

Exactly how this will work in practice is yet to be established. These points were made to the Minister of Conservation’s advisors. The Department of Conservation will now have to work out how to make the provisions work.

Second Opening Weekend 2 & 3rd of July
In an attempt to encourage hunters to get out later in the season and to make the most of the opportunities available, the 2nd & 3rd of July has been nominated to be “The Second Opening” weekend in the Nelson Marlborough Region. Hunters are encouraged to venture out during this weekend, which should be to everyone’s benefit – that is unless you’re a duck! All game bird hunters are invited to attend the social event which is to be held on Sunday the 3rd of July at the Travellers Rest (see below for more details).

Hunters Encouraged to Target Black Swans in the Wakapuaka & Waimea Estuary Areas
Increasing Black Swan numbers in the Nelson Haven/Wakapuaka area and the Waimea Estuary are causing concern to the Nelson Airport as several have been seen flying in aircraft flight zones – fortunately no planes were in the air at the time! The increases in Black Swan numbers appear to be the result of an increase in eelgrass growth in the Nelson Haven and also no doubt as a result of the recent creation of the wetland adjacent to the Wakapuaka oxidation ponds.

Given the Nelson Airports concern over the swans and the potential for bird-strike, as an incentive for hunters to reduce the swan numbers in the area, they will be sponsoring 6 prizes (vouchers from Hunting and Fishing) totaling $550. Additional sponsorship is also likely although still being finalized. All those who turn up at the Traveller Rest (Appleby Highway) for the prize giving/social evening which will be run in conjunction with the Second Opening Weekend on Sunday the 3rd of July (between 6:30-9pm) will be in with a chance to get a spot prize.

Those hunters who have bagged a black swan during the season or over the weekend are asked to bring in feet (both pairs) of any swans they shoot in the Waimea Estuary and Wakapuaka areas as well as some proof (such as a photo) of where they were shot.

The prize giving / social evening is open to all game bird hunters. For those who haven’t tried black swan before, we will be doing some black swan schnitzel on the BBQ as well as doing a demonstration of filleting a duck (end up with two sides of the duck) – saves gutting them and takes up less room in the freezer. For those who are up to a challenge we may even have a duck plucking competition, so feel free to bring along your unplucked ducks!

While some snacks will be put on – finger food and bar meals will be available so don’t forget your wallet. If you don’t normally hunt the area, we can point you in the right direction, or if you want more information contact the Richmond Office ph 03 544 6382.
A reminder to Nelson Marlborough Hunters that Pheasant Weekend is this coming weekend (25 & 26 June) and not the 2nd & 3rd of July