Wellington> Hunting News March 2008

Second Monster Wairarapa Wild Goose Hunt

The second organised goose hunt on Lake Wairarapa over 8 and 9 March saw around 100 registered hunters harvest just over 400 birds.

The location where the birds were harvested was largely governed by the wind with a brisk northwesterly blowing over the weekend.  Those that did well in the February Organised Hunt on the western shore and Wairongomai almost had a clean slate -  while those on the eastern shore that had little action in February did very well in March.  A lot more birds were seen dropping into Boggy Pond and Matthews Lagoon on Saturday and Sunday mornings compared to the earlier hunt.

A total of just over 400 birds were taken by the groups of hunters around the lake – with other hunters further north taking advantage of birds moving around. 

Things that worked well:

• Hovercraft worked very well at getting the birds off the water in shallow areas on the eastern side of the lake and Allsops Bay,
• Stationing people on ‘hotspots’ where the geese had recently been,
• Jet boats – did a good job at keeping the birds moving around,
• Leg collection point in Featherston worked better.

Things that could have worked better:

• Communication with hunters on our boat strategy (although this was dictated by wind strength),
• Contingencies in boat strategy reacting to differing bird responses.

There were still at least two relatively large groups of birds of between 500 and 600on the lake, so even though the numbers are reducing there will still be a potential for individual nuisance problems to occur.  Fish & Game will endeavour to have a timely and appropriate response should this occur.

While the Wellington Fish & Game Council are still looking at further organised hunts at Lake Wairarapa,  all hunters should be trying to organise a group of hunters to target the birds throughout the season and in all areas to maximize the harvest.  This would include not only Lake Wairarapa, but greater Wairarapa,  the Kapiti coast and upper Manawatu.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of the hunters and co-operation of the landholders to make this another successful event.

Phil Teal
Regional Manager

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