Thread: Native bird mounts?

We had a wood pigeon (Kereru) hit the house window and break its neck and die recently. One of several who've misjudged their flight paths this year, the only one that has died fortunately. It's in a freezer at the moment.

Has anyone had a NZ native bird mounted? What are the rules? Haven't asked any taxidermists yet, but the couple of people at DoC we asked weren't helpful at all. I'd imagine its either not allowed, or surrounded in red tape?

Cheers
Josh.

Originally Posted by JoshC

I'd imagine its either not allowed, or surrounded in red tape?

Following the official channels you'd need to apply to DoC and be granted "authority to hold absolutely protected wildlife", pursuant to section 53 of the Wildlife Act 1953. Seldom given, but worth trying. If successful then approval is accompanied by a tag with a unique specimen number printed on it that stays with the mount. Taxidermists would be liable for prosecution if they worked on a bird without a tag, so it is unlikely any would take the work on without it.

Awesome thanks mate. I've sent some emails to DoC requesting further info.

Same experience, plus "hand it over, or else".
Why?
""Cos we might preserve it ourselves".

You need a permit, Eugenie will be fining you $100,000 or sending you to jail for 6 months for having it in your freezer (see near bottom of link). It sounds like contacting the Hamilton DOC office might be your best chance of finding the right info. Getting a permit sounds like a bit of a drama.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved...with-wildlife/

Years ago a local wanted to get a dead owl stuffed, it was allowed so long as finished bird was given to a school for display.

Originally Posted by Cigar

You need a permit, Eugenie will be fining you $100,000 or sending you to jail for 6 months for having it in your freezer (see near bottom of link). It sounds like contacting the Hamilton DOC office might be your best chance of finding the right info. Getting a permit sounds like a bit of a drama.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved...with-wildlife/

It's in "a" freezer, not sure where at the moment

I had a woody catch both legs in gin trap set in a blue gum tree where I was targeting possums, I euthed it by wringing it's neck and mounted it on an oven dish.

Workmate of mine, Maori elder from Te Puke area, few years back cooks up a bird in the staff room oven. I says to him, wtf is that bird Berny?' he says, 'its a seagull boy'. 'Bullshit' I says, 'they dont have meat that colour do they?' 'sure do' he says......left it at that. Comes up to me the next day grinning like fuck with his one tooth, 'it was a kereru boy' shhhhhhh ha ha same guy that puts blue nose eyes on his toast good bugger

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

I had a woody catch both legs in gin trap set in a blue gum tree where I was targeting possums, I euthed it by wringing it's neck and mounted it on an oven dish.

Fom my memories of back in the 60's early 70's I'd have to be bloody hungry before I'd eat another one.

Originally Posted by woods223

Fom my memories of back in the 60's early 70's I'd have to be bloody hungry before I'd eat another one.

C'mon mate they aren't that bad if they are done properly eh...every Friday night was woody nosh time

Originally Posted by woods223

Fom my memories of back in the 60's early 70's I'd have to be bloody hungry before I'd eat another one.

They are known as "flying pork" for a good reason...as a youth working on a farm in Northland we ate them on a regular basis, ours were taken from a flock of over 120 resident birds.

I know an old Maori fella who always has them in the freezer, weka too. Loves them. Always trying to give me some. He's often given tui, but aint too keen on it , reckons it's too much plucking and not that tasty.

Wood pigeon (Kereru) is supposed to have full protection since the 1930s
I lost a boat once and was in survival mode for three days, this given scenario can be excepted as reason for eating these birds.
But other than that they remain protected, not sure on the grey area of Iwi?
KH