Ducks dumped in Kerikeri too

Last week it was Waipapakauri Ramp residents who were up in arms over the dumping of wild ducks, some partially plucked, on 90 Mile Beach, and now the residents of a street in Kerikeri have been similarly disgusted by the discovery of dead ducks, a hare, entrails and shotgun cartridges.

The gory mess was left beside a boat ramp on Pa Road, by a tributary of the Kerikeri River, last weekend.

A Pa Road resident who found the pile of carcasses, intestines and organs around noon on Sunday, said he was dismayed by the lack of respect for other members of the community.

It was "anti-social, simpleton behaviour" that reflected badly on other hunters, he said.

The man, who did not want to be named, said he did plenty of shooting around his property, mainly to keep rabbits and possums down, but always buried his kills to stop flies and disease.

The dumping came just a week after Waipapakauri Ramp residents were appalled to find a dozen dead mallards dumped on 90 Mile Beach.

Fish and Game Northland manager Rudi Hoetjes said he was horrified by the incidents, which he described as a bad look for hunters.

"A few rogues like this ruin it for everybody," he said.

Mr Hoetjes said it angered him personally because he and his staff spent all year ensuring access to hunting areas, but irresponsible actions by a few could lead to a public backlash against hunters. The majority followed the rules, he added.

He urged anyone who saw game dumped or left in the field to take any details they could, such as vehicle registration numbers, and contact Fish and Game's Northland office on (09) 438-4135.

It was an offence under both the Wildlife and Conservation acts, so Fish and Game would not hesitate to prosecute. A few years ago a hunter was fined $1200 for leaving dead ducks in the water at Lake Owhareiti, near Pakaraka.

By law dead game cannot be left in the field, nor can it be dumped. It has to be taken away and disposed of by burying or incineration.

Sometimes hunters will remove the breast meat from a duck (as was the case with a number of those on 90 Mile Beach) and leave the carcass behind.

Dumping waste is also an offence under district council bylaws, and dumping offal in a waterway is an offence against regional council regulations.