I'm a strong advocate of releasing game birds (in suitable environments) so jumped at the opportunity to be involved in a new syndicate. We're setting up very close to Te Kauwhata, on a private block containing mixed terrain and cover.
The crew are well known to each other and includes folks from all walks of life. Ground rules have been established, meetings held, budget agreed and the necessary consents granted by DOC and F&G. For this particular shoot site we've sought and been granted a waiver from the standard game bird regulations*; we'll be able to take both cock and hen birds as well as self imposing limits rather than observing a three cock bird per day limit. Part of the rules surrounding consent of such a waiver includes the need to keep records of shooters on site per day and number and gender of birds harvested amongst other compliance responsibilities.
Scope of works is as usual with such projects; the heavy work is front loaded prior to establishing the birds. If done right, then you don't need to do too much more apart from routine maintenance to keep your release facilities up to scratch.
The key tasks right now are to source and ferry materials for a new release pen in, which includes posts and a water tank. Getting this stuff in is time bound, as the land owner plans to sew maize crops shortly so our ability to access the release site easily will be reduced. We have to sew a cover crop adjacent to the pen so that the birds can move around with ease and in relative safety.
Come summer and construction work will get underway, so I'll put up accounts of progress as we go.
(*subject to final approval ex council and gazetting)
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