Open season on geese applauded

News that Canada geese are no longer protected as a game bird and may be freely hunted has been greeted with relief and gratitude by farmers in South Wairarapa.
Stewart Barton, a dairy farmer at Kahutara, is one of many in the lower valley who is relieved that at long last he can deal with the geese and save his valuable pasture.
Happiness at the decision by Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson is not universal, however, with Carterton conservationist Neil Hayes protesting and asking others to do the same.
Ms Wilkinson made the decision to remove Canada geese from the protected list after five years of debate and lobbying by groups, including Federated Farmers.
Farmers claim large populations of the pasture-eating geese tramp over the land, devastating grassland and crops, and leaving behind a hefty trail of excrement.
Supporters of the geese argue that the problem is not as bad as farmers maintain and that allowing the bird to be hunted under the protection of game bird legislation is all that is needed.
Mr Barton said the minister had shown she recognised the economic need to lift protection on the geese. The population had spiralled out of control, he said.
His farm had been attacked, with up to 1000 birds in a single paddock at one time. "They do massive damage, especially if you don't quickly realise they are in a particular paddock."
Mr Barton said the geese grazed grass right down, lower than sheep did, and therefore grass recovery was very slow.
A neighbour had sown new grass, only to have an army of geese attack it. "He had to re-sow the entire block."
Mr Barton said he did not foresee any clash with duckshooters.
Geese culls by farmers were unlikely to "spook" ducks in the lead-up to duck shooting season.
"Many farmers are sympathetic to duck-shooters and we are keen to retain that."
He said that in the long term a heavy reduction in Canada geese populations was likely to benefit ducks, with less competition between species. The best time to "deal to" the geese was in the moult - early January - which was months before the duck shooting season opened.
Mr Barton said the mess Canada geese left behind was incredible, especially around the shores of Lake Wairarapa.
He said it was possible Canada geese could be eradicated at least from some areas, although "awkward" areas such as the Akaroa Hills in the South Island would make eradication difficult.
Carterton conservationist Neil Hayes has called on all people who do not agree with lifting the protection on Canada geese to email Ms Wilkinson.
He described the decision as a "bombshell" that labelled Canada geese as pests.
"This is reminiscent of the old noxious tag that was applied to deer.
"Any wildlife is a resource to be managed, with numbers controlled.
"Extermination policies are wrong and Canada geese are world renowned as a game bird."
Mr Hayes said it seemed the Government did not "understand, or appreciate" outdoor recreation or the heritage of fishing and hunting.