'Fantastic' compliance on duck hunt opening

Hunters at the opening. File picture

GISBORNE hunters have been given an official “pat on the back” for observing hunting and firearms regulations during the opening weekend of the duck-shooting season.

Fish and Game officer Anthony van Dorp said a joint operation involving Fish and Game officers and police was carried out over both days. All hunters here were complying with hunting regulations and firearms licences.

“In the Gisborne area we had fantastic compliance. We checked a lot of hunters on both days in Gisborne and there was 100 percent compliance, so there were no issues here whatsoever.

“In total we checked about 85 hunters at the weekend, so as far as compliance matters go, it’s a pat on the back to hunters.”

There were no issues with alcohol either.

“Fish and Game officers were accompanied by police. Fish and Game staff dealt with checking hunters and compliance with hunting regulations, and the police checked hunters for firearms licences and checked to make sure hunters were not under the influence of alcohol.”

Hunting over the weekend was “fairly OK” and probably slightly better than the same time last year.

“In the Gisborne area it was not a bad start at all, but what has been really pleasing is that hunters have taken on board a lot of the messages we have been putting out in the past few years to comply with hunting regulations, take care with firearms and not go out and get boozed while hunting.

“In Gisborne and East Cape it has been good. The Tolaga Bay area was well-hunted and in that area we dealt with only two offences.”