11 firearms seized on opening day
The duck-shooting season is over for a group of North Canterbury hunters whose guns were seized after they were caught hunting with banned ammunition or no licence.
Fish & Game rangers seized 11 guns from hunters who were caught flouting the rules in Waiau on Saturday, the opening day of the season.
Eight of the hunters were shooting with lead shot, ammunition banned in 2004, while three were hunting without a game bird licence.
‘‘The low level of compliance in the northern part of the region is hugely disappointing,’’ North Canterbury Fish & Game compliance manager Dirk Barr said.
‘‘For the sake of a few dollars, either with purchasing the right ammunition or a licence, these guys could be still out there enjoying the game bird season – now they may face a date in court,’’ he said.
The hunters could face criminal prosecution under the Wildlife Act 1953.
If convicted of a firearms offence, their ability to get a gun licence or travel overseas could be limited.
Fish & Game caught six people breaking the law during the 2016 season in Waiau.
The organisation stepped up their presence in the area for the opening day of this year’s season, but it wasn’t without warning.
It was advertised through ‘‘various publications and community members’’.
It is illegal to hunt waterfowl, like ducks, with lead shot within 200 metres of open water.
Lead shot was banned more than a decade ago because ducks were ingesting large amounts of it.
Lead poisoning was a particularly cruel way for waterfowl to die, Barr said.
The game bird hunting season runs from May 6 to August 27.