Thread: Waikato News

I am really surprised at how many people feel put out by the decisions of A/W F&G council. We accept that the population is in severe decline yet we don't want to do anything about it. Should we keep plundering an ailing resource pretending there is not a problem?

I think A/W have been brave in making a couple of big calls that "may" help the resource. From my perspective steel shot and the allowance of unpinned auto's has had a dramatic effect on the population, together they are a burden on our resource in the hands of most hunters.

Originally Posted by Tim Allen

I am really surprised at how many people feel put out by the decisions of A/W F&G council. We accept that the population is in severe decline yet we don't want to do anything about it. Should we keep plundering an ailing resource pretending there is not a problem?

I think A/W have been brave in making a couple of big calls that "may" help the resource. From my perspective steel shot and the allowance of unpinned auto's has had a dramatic effect on the population, together they are a burden on our resource in the hands of most hunters.

No problem with that but half the hunting time half the license fees ?? Would you go buy half a pizza for full price ? Or maybe one gumboot ? So there are other issues as well combine that with the fact they underpatrol some areas and people get away with merry hell

Do your bit and be come a Ranger, or a F/G Councillor then, rather than just winge about it, get active and volunteer, do somthing about it. You will be surprised how rewarding it can, be by putting something back into your sport. Obviously F/G need more STASI'S.

Originally Posted by Happy

No problem with that but half the hunting time half the license fees ?? Would you go buy half a pizza for full price ? Or maybe one gumboot ? So there are other issues as well combine that with the fact they underpatrol some areas and people get away with merry hell

Yes they are generally disinterested in policing the sport. Generally the worth of ranging effort relates to license checks in a season and a % compliance. The best time to do this is opening day on ponds close to roads with multiple shooters. They get checked every year nearly, which keeps the compliance figures looking great..... ( I don't seek to detract from the voluntary guys that do what they do for the love of the sport- though some probably weren't accepted to Traffic Cop school )

Would I buy half a pizza for the full price? No, but I have a choice there. To stay lawful I need to buy a game license. It's less than half really anyway. We lost geese as a gamebird also remember.

The resource is in the state it is in now and we need to seek remedy for that.

I love the opportunity to hunt so I do feel for you guys with a shorter season. I would happily stop at 4 birds if it meant I could hunt for 8 weeks. The trouble is that for most those four birds cost the lives of others 6 (give or take)with steel and auto's.

Originally Posted by Tim Allen

The resource is in the state it is in now and we need to seek remedy for that.

I love the opportunity to hunt so I do feel for you guys with a shorter season. I would happily stop at 4 birds if it meant I could hunt for 8 weeks. The trouble is that for most those four birds cost the lives of others 6 (give or take)with steel and auto's.

So Tim why are they not working to fix this problem cos it ain't going to fix itself. Cut the season down to opening weekend or one day
Off topic do you write for some mags ? If so enjoy your articles if not sorry

Originally Posted by Happy

So Tim why are they not working to fix this problem cos it ain't going to fix itself. Cut the season down to opening weekend or one day
Off topic do you write for some mags ? If so enjoy your articles if not sorry

You'll have a bit of a giggle at me next issue then I'm sure! Cheers Happy

There are some guys who really are interested in fixing the problem, they are just outnumbered with people who are motivated by other things.

I love your attitude displayed in post 40 Toby. You don't have to be killing heaps to enjoy hunting. Some of the most memorable things don't relate to killing.

Originally Posted by Tim Allen

I am really surprised at how many people feel put out by the decisions of A/W F&G council. We accept that the population is in severe decline yet we don't want to do anything about it. Should we keep plundering an ailing resource pretending there is not a problem?

I think A/W have been brave in making a couple of big calls that "may" help the resource. From my perspective steel shot and the allowance of unpinned auto's has had a dramatic effect on the population, together they are a burden on our resource in the hands of most hunters.

Tim I think the issue here is that many hunters feel that the A/W changes for this season are really just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, and will have little if any affect on the duck population in the region.
The nub of the issue remains that over the past 20 years A/W has done a very poor job of understanding the resource which it manages - in reality there has been no research.
In addition A/W has not properly communicated with licence holders, and has resorted to some "orchestrated" hunting survey feedback and local club remits to provide support for its position.
Until recently I have never heard any suggestion that the duck population in A/W was at a critical level or that hunting harvest was having a significant impact. Even now this information is not coming from the Council.

It seems clear that hunting harvests have declined over the last 15 years in particular - the same time period in which we have had unpinned semi autos; robo duck decoys and increased pond feeding. Obvioulsy these new tools cannot have not been the cause of the duck population decline. What confidence can hunters have then that the changes this season will have any positive impact on the population - it may be that the horse has already bolted!

From my perspective the frustration being expressed is not a lack of support for changes which could positively impact on the duck pop, its more another vote of no confidence in the small cabal of councillors who have been on the A/W Council for 20 odd years and have presided over the decline in the duck population.
IMHO the changes for the 2013 season will result in a significant decline in licence sales which will have long term financial consequences for F&G management.

Originally Posted by Fitzy

Tim I think the issue here is that many hunters feel that the A/W changes for this season are really just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, and will have little if any affect on the duck population in the region.
The nub of the issue remains that over the past 20 years A/W has done a very poor job of understanding the resource which it manages - in reality there has been no research.
In addition A/W has not properly communicated with licence holders, and has resorted to some "orchestrated" hunting survey feedback and local club remits to provide support for its position.
Until recently I have never heard any suggestion that the duck population in A/W was at a critical level or that hunting harvest was having a significant impact. Even now this information is not coming from the Council.

It seems clear that hunting harvests have declined over the last 15 years in particular - the same time period in which we have had unpinned semi autos; robo duck decoys and increased pond feeding. Obvioulsy these new tools cannot have not been the cause of the duck population decline. What confidence can hunters have then that the changes this season will have any positive impact on the population - it may be that the horse has already bolted!

From my perspective the frustration being expressed is not a lack of support for changes which could positively impact on the duck pop, its more another vote of no confidence in the small cabal of councillors who have been on the A/W Council for 20 odd years and have presided over the decline in the duck population.
IMHO the changes for the 2013 season will result in a significant decline in licence sales which will have long term financial consequences for F&G management.

I can't disagree with you. I am not suggesting the measures taken are going to work either, just that they are trying. Management sometimes requires big calls. It would be nice to know those big calls will work.

Are you saying figures have been manipulated to show mallards are declining or you are happy with the fact they are declining but don't feel modern hunting techniques have anything to do with the depleted resource?