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Native Bird Study First Of Its Kind | Stuff.co.nz
DOC Mallard Research site
Mallard Duck Research | Fish & Game NZ
Cheers Happy
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Stuff news article
Native Bird Study First Of Its Kind | Stuff.co.nz
DOC Mallard Research site
Mallard Duck Research | Fish & Game NZ
Cheers Happy
Yeah Happy, i got the same email.....after cutting 'our season' by half but still charging the same fee, they're now talking about banning 'motorised decoys' !!!!!!....whats next, you cant bring a shottie......FFS
Sweet cheep decs and shotties for us down south .Quote:
Originally Posted by Scouser
Save themselves $300,000 and just ban steel
I Wasn't posting about any of the above. More about the fact they at least got a big ass research event well under way and the stories in the article about decimation of the ducks nests and ducklings that they have seen with the cameras. The results will be interesting when they come in Its looking like nearly everything they got pics of has been eaten by some kinda pest ..
The Vid on their faceplant page of the kitten is scary. Its tiny yet two visits from that and another in one night.... :wtfsmilie: Not to mention Ficin Harry Hawk with a whole egg in its fuckin gob ...
Yes I m as pissed as everyone with their total apparent lack of knowledge and effort and dont start me on the fees .... :pissed off:
But gotta give David and Waikato team some kudos for their
efforts as I m sure they are doing the hard yards as well.. So stop shooting wild cats and hawks you se buggers ... ¡ ☺☺☺☺ :thumbsup:
Got some wild cat targeting to do this weekend actually ...
Cheers Happy
If they put hawks on the pest list it could help.
Puts all the efforts of reducing season length/bag limits into perspective. The real problem seems to be lack of suitable habitat, where ducks can raise a brood to maturity, and provide ample food and safety for adult birds. It is no wonder that up here in the North, habitat has shrunk considerably over the last 50 years, and so have duck numbers. I have a sneaking suspicion that encouraging the fencing of drains, and planting cover in those margins, would have a greater effect than reducing the season length. That would require buy-in from farmers etc. Unfortunately, the "dirty dairying" campaign by F&G, although commendable for cleaning up waterways, will mean that farmers are unlikely to buy in to any fencing/planting initiative.
Bloody hell Happy - see what you have started. It's me ranting again.
I know what you are saying. IMO you're quite right It's bloody hard work !, Did you know it's not ranting so long as you making sense !,Quote:
Originally Posted by Lentil
Cheers Happy
FFS ok heres my little piss fueled rant.
Didn't read the links Happy cause I read the replies that sums it up;)
The farmer campain Lentil is in full force with fonterra having all waterways fenced!
Those bloody cats yes they disapear around this neighbourhood....except Sylvester
And those farkin hawks are on schedule 2 now so shoot the fukas
I Wasn't posting about any of the above. More about the fact they at least got a big ass research event well under way and the stories in the article about decimation of the ducks nests and ducklings that they have seen with the cameras. The results will be interesting when they come in Its looking like nearly everything they got pics of has been eaten by some kinda pest ..
Yeah Happy, i read them too....nearly all the Duck clutches wiped out.....total crap......
Puts all the efforts of reducing season length/bag limits into perspective. The real problem seems to be lack of suitable habitat, where ducks can raise a brood to maturity, and provide ample food and safety for adult birds. It is no wonder that up here in the North, habitat has shrunk considerably over the last 50 years, and so have duck numbers. I have a sneaking suspicion that encouraging the fencing of drains, and planting cover in those margins, would have a greater effect than reducing the season length. That would require buy-in from farmers etc. Unfortunately, the "dirty dairying" campaign by F&G, although commendable for cleaning up waterways, will mean that farmers are unlikely to buy in to any fencing/planting initiative.
Yeah Lentil, and even 'if' they get rid of the pest species (fish) the waterways are still fouled for the duck population....total crap again
The reason i posted this?......if we have a 'daily limit'....its still a 'daily limit' if we use motorised decoys or not!!!!....whats next, no Duck callers, no duck decoys....makes no fukin sense, really getting sick of the bullshit......Quote:
Originally Posted by Scouser
You are right limit is the limit. Maybe there are still heaps of people out there taking too many ?? We ll be allowed two dekes and no more than 3 rounds of ammo per person in the mai mai ha ha haQuote:
Originally Posted by Scouser
They are trying really hard to limit your take to less than the daily limit... Lets see what next season brings ... My pond is looking awesome with the spring growth..
I'm not sure why anyone needed to read the article or Mallard Research page in order to understand that predation of nests and newly hatched ducklings had a huge impact on the productivity of our Gamebirds. If you did, then you must be living under a rock or have your head in the sand about the extent of the problems with our Gamebird populations! All its doing it quantifying what you should have already known FFS!
So since all those who have posted on this thread have read about the effects to date (even on that very small sample size!), how many of you are getting off your arses this weekend and setting traplines to reduce the predator population? Its eaasy to piss and moan and demand a reduction in licence fees, but few put their money where their mouth is and go do something about it.
'Its eaasy to piss and moan and demand a reduction in licence fees, but few put their money where their mouth is and go do something about it'.
Hi gqhoon, im on your side mate, (believe it or not) im not 'demanding' anything! but if another wildfowl hunter who pays exactly the same fee as me gets twice as long to use it, i 'expect' to pay less.....and im pretty sure
if i go along the banks of the mighty Waikato where i hunt, setting traps and trying to shoot/catch pests, ill be on the wrong side of the law in no time and lose my FAL........
just my angry 2c worth, had to get it off my chest, if my 'double fee' cash is going into conservation, those who get paid to do it....can!
Just had a reply from the 'Fish & game Auckland & Waikato region'......you can guess what my email concerned.......his reply.....
'So far there doesn’t appear to be any clear consensus on mechanical decoys by hunters with strong views both ways.'
Best regards
Ben Wilson
Chief Executive
Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato Region
Bet my 'left hairy nacker' i will have to sell my 'flappy duck' before the year is out, or find another region to hunt in!
I actually started the thread as a demonstration that our fees in Waikato were being put to some use. Not as a bitch session. Its pointless moaning about fees anyway as they are set in Head Office without input from the areas.Quote:
Originally Posted by gqhoon
Bit like moaning about motorcycle rego costs really similar story ...
I was actually impressed by the research efforts being done. As to living with your head in the sand no. Theres heaps of reasons for species decline , hundreds its been discussed.
Everyone has to do as much as they can in preserving and creating safer places for the quackers and their quacklings ... I think you may have thought I posted to start a row ??? Wrong !!!
Our crew plants, traps, weed sprays , kill the shit out of pests and fences the four ponds we have. We have heaps of ducks there and don't shoot all of them either.
Cheers Happy
I think we have to be a bit more philisophical than that Scouser. Our licences allow us to shoot anywhere in NZ, its simply we choose to live (and presumably hunt) in the A/W area. Thats our choice, not F&G's.
For those who feel they are not in a position to help, because the issue may seem to big, then there are all opportunities to assit other community groups.
Feel free to contact Waikato RiverCare Welcome To Waikato RiverCare - Waikato River Care and talk to Kevin Hutchinson (Operations Manager) about how you can assist. Kevin is ex DoC (he's also a keen duckshooter) in the Whangamarino and his role is to implement the objectives of the group (2ha of river bank planting per year). Interestingly, Kevin's boss is David Klee (A/W F&G), so you can read between the lines that there are opportunities there to enhance the lot of our gamebird populations with projects such as RiverCares.
The idea of banning motorised decoys was put forward last year by the geriatrics at EPCM who want to be seen to be doing something, but are so stuck in the dark-ages they need a torch to find their way. Unfortunately, it was latched onto by David Cocks and Eaun Williamson as a means of garnering support for last year's elections. As Ben has stated, there is no correlation between mechanical decoys and declining populations and was knocked on the head when the regualtions were set for this past season.
Best thing you can do is to get in the ear of those Councillors who want decisions made based on evidence, and not emotion.
Thanks guys, as you both well know, sometimes whats 'typed & printed' on the posts can be misconstrued to the reader.....looks like we are all 'preaching to the converted' here....i shoot for sport, i need to lose fukin weight as it is.....
Im new to game bird hunting, and the crew i go duck hunting with all yarn about the 'good old days' and have photos in the hut with 15-20 ducks draped around their necks looking like 'dame Nellie Melba' on the fukin stage!!!!!
those days have gone, (by Port Waikato anyway) its just very frustrating to be a 'law abiding game permit holder' and be squeezed year in year out, (half hunting time, dowel in shottie, flappy duck ban?) it will get to the point
of, why bother....they were even checking boaties at the wharf for alcohol consumption FFS, before they went out!!!!!....this is a social occasion for us, we dont need/want to hunt/kill ducks because we will starve without them!!!
Thanks gqhoon for mentioning names & places where i can get off my (fat) arse and do something about it......dont hold your breath though!......'warm barrels' guys
You’re right Scouser, seems to be a bit of miscommunication.
I used to have a fairly jaundiced view of F&G (and still do to some degree) until I chose to become more involved and understand how the organisation functions and what its drivers are. I very quickly learnt that in the most part, the staff are quality individuals, passionate about their jobs. While these guys are a considerable asset, unfortunately there were / are some who see it as a job for life and contribute fuck all to the organisation and effectively hamstring the useful ones. Add to that there are similar issues with Councillors (who employ the Managers / CEO’s, who in turn employ the staff), then you can only imagine the degree of dysfunction that exists within the organisation. The role of national Council isn’t even worth mentioning to be perfectly honest.
Add in a healthy dose of hunter apathy (one Region hasn’t had an election in a decade or so as no one wants to stand) and you can see there are some major ‘legacy issues’ that the organisation needs to overcome before it will find favour with its constituents again.
In the meantime, our gamebird populations are in a decline never before been documented and our licence sales have decreased 44% since 1985 (or thereabouts). It’s actually a lot worse than that in the North Island, but the decrease has been less in the South Island, so it props up the national average.
The conclusion I’ve come to, is that I can’t be bothered waiting for ‘someone’ to fix the problem, so choose to do what I can to assist. Advocating for and carrying out predator control, rearing and releasing of gamebirds, nesting and rearing planting etc are all things that are within my means (and that of those I shoot with). We combine resources, time, money and effort and do what we can to improve our lot, and hopefuly help educate others along the way to do something similar.
The thing to remember, is that we all have the means to assist, regardless of resources, wealth or time.
You fullas need a Dundee coy ...... Best of luck with the beaurocrats. All game bird hunters I know are doing there bit. I nearly smoked the neighbours cat tonight but after ID the mongrel sent a text and got back "Cease Fire!" lucky I checked.
If ya motor ducks are banned,think natural movement fullas;)
http://youtu.be/4vQbn1WwNg8
Do they travel ok on the courier ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dundee
I'm sure the Happy waters up there are stocked with plentiful big decoy towing eels;)
Ha ha we are lucky to be able to dump the water out of our main pond so it emptys Put the plug back in close to season start and fills up crystal clear so no eels except for tiny boot laces occaisionally. The Quakers love the new water as wellQuote:
Originally Posted by Dundee
:thumbsup:
Its a doubled sided sword really cause the big eels eat the ducklings and the bigger ones eat the ducks. Can't mess with nature but seems we can't get any sense out of the dudes that make the rulz for our love of gamebird hunting.
The ducks have so many predators and the bloody councils have none:(
That is very cynical. I could counter your comments by simply saying you could have an emotional attachement to the ongoing use/sale of such decoys by aquaintance. I can happily say without knowing either Cocks or Williamson - they have most likely done some investigations with the intent of improving the resource for all. They haven't taken a position to protect their own hunting or anything so selfish I'd suggest.Quote:
Originally Posted by gqhoon
There is a line of thought that mechanical decoys cause over harvest in the young population resulting in an ageing and less productive breeding population over time. This has been studied. States like California ban the use of flappy ducks until a set time in their season when the migratory ducks arrive in order to protect their resident duck population. Perhaps they have a few misguided emotional councillors also?
There is no correlation between declining duck populations and mechanical decoys in NZ because it hasn't been studied.
Cynicism is an emotive opinion that you hve attached to my comments. It is your issue, not mine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Allen
If that is your firm belief, then you are simply wrong. Again. I have no attachment to the continued use / sale of any item of equipment. Much like your previous incorrect allegtion that I support certain individuals because I might get some hunting. You are simply grasping at straws.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Allen
Incorrect. By their own admission, they had no evidence to support their postion. They did / do genuinely feel that we 'had to do something'......that not really my idea of an informed decision making process.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Allen
Correct. So when NZ studies also show the same correlation, I would happy support such a restriction. Until then, it is simply guess work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Allen
I wasn't expecting you to feel the need to be defencive. My post casting the assertion you were speaking out of self interest was only to draw attention to your comment suggesting other councillors tried to address a very real concern purely to garner votes.You seem aware there is material supporting restrictions so likely know it was less than vote buying and not contrived from the dark ages?Quote:
Originally Posted by gqhoon
Back on topic, it's great to see predator control gaining some spotlight. Have you or anyone you know had much to do with those gas cannister traps?
'I actually started the thread as a demonstration that our fees in Waikato were being put to some use.' (Happy)
Sorry i high-jacked your thread Happy, but yes, agree with you entirely, great to see some data coming out of our 'game permits' and hopefully pest eradication is on the way.....
Attachment 14342
Gas vs. spring loaded.... I don't think we have our technique/bait/placement right for our gas traps ... as no discernable sign of any kills. Having said that, the dead things drop straight onto the ground where they can be cleaned up by other critters. We've put these traps side by side as an experiment to see if its a placement issue.
We fenced and planted all our streams. Waterway has changed significantly. It has gone from low poorly formed banks with silt/mud bottom.and a lot of water cress to firm steep banks, stone bottom and faster shallow running water. Have.seen an increase in pukes but it has not resulted in ideal duck habitat. I would suspect numbers are actually now lower on the property.
Theres a lot of research required and it is not as simple as fencing and planting. It needs to be strategice development of habitat and predator control fornitnto actually have the desired effect.
The other downside is that there are now no eels in the creeks. I do however see young trout from time to time but they were also present previous to planting.
Should add i see the current research as a move in the right dorection to have informed development moving forward
Good points DS, well done on your conservation efforts, hope they pay off for you in the future, keeping it in your own hands is a great step forward.....
It is actually our Southland licence fees that I have been paying for the last 26 years that have helped build up Southland Fish and Game reserves which are being put to some use not your Waikato fees!!!! it is only staff time which would be being used anyway that Waikato is contributing!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy
There is one person behind giving away Southlands money, the same person who is going to stop us using lead!!! his days are numbered!!!
Errr huntfishsouth, its not "your" money, the funding is centralised and contested for, so its possible that license sales from larger regions than Southland are actually 'subsidising' your region.
Naturally you are talking about a change of gaurd at the next election.Quote:
Originally Posted by huntfishsouth
I was led to believe it is actually money not contributed to the central fund (that should have been), so wasn't up for contesting, which "erked" a few regions. Either way I want it used for research not to prove an ancient interaction between natural predators and prey.Quote:
Originally Posted by Snuffit
You must have missed the part where they admitted they had no evidence to support such a restriction. I would be very cautious about using evidence from North American mallard population with a huge migratory element to it. Once again, it's hardly informed decision making.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Allen
i think the main problem with predation now is the fact, here anyway. is that on doc and other public areas we are restricted on what we can do or use.
sure we can crank pests as we see them but in a couple of areas with every tom dick and bloody harry wandering about,trapping is a box only or head trap option.even then the chance of them bieng interfered with is a constant.
