MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Lovely weather for ducksThe pre-Easter forecast deluge actually came to pass bringing satisfaction to homeowners reliant on tank water and farmers trying to eke out a living from parched pasture – but few were satisfied more than avid duck shooters.
With one eye on the early May date for the opening of shooting season and the other on the murky puddles languishing on the bottom of ponds, these sportsmen (and women) have been buoyed by the recent downpour giving them some confidence that soon our web-footed waders will appear in good numbers. Shoot safely Of course the sport does have its detractors and there is a right way and a wrong way to participate both in and against the sport. Often protesters, in their haste to disrupt shooters, put the safety of themselves and others in jeopardy by being over-zealous and antagonising legal shooters. On the other hand there are a number of fairly simple rules that should be closely followed especially given that there are firearms involved, along with teenagers with a degree of bravado, camouflage attire in early morning half-light, sometimes unstable and poorly maintained duck punts and, sometimes, alcohol. Mai mai or motel? Traditionally the thrill of the chase has been the name of the game. A hideout or mai mai was a crudely constructed bivvy of ti-tree and reeds designed to ‘naturally’ shield the shooter who then, by means of decoys and a duck-call coaxed unsuspecting quarry into his pond and into shotgun range. The result would be eagerly awaited by man’s trusty canine retriever. Modern times have seen some changes as hunting parties can now be housed in mai-mai’s with all the comforts of a motel unit. Many private ponds are similarly furnished and owners go to some trouble to toss out maize during late autumn to attract ducks to what they see as a safe haven only to fall victim when opening day arrives. Opening day There are varying opinions on what this annual shoot is doing to the population of game birds and the debate shows no sign of waning. Then, when summer temperatures drift towards single figures, autumn fogs start to hover, dams and waterways become replenished with customary seasonal pre-winter dowpours, shooters raise their eyes skyward and breathe in that imaginary waft of pellets and powder, sharpen up their duck-calling prowess and ready themselves for the first Saturday in May. Although the ‘season’ runs from May until July, opening day is seen as the day to be among the action. Further to what some see as a macabre ‘sport’ comes the expertise in shooting. Ducks must be shot in the air, not on the water, proving the eye/hand co-ordination of the sportsman. Then comes the task of dealing with the product. Plucking is often seen as a family affair though some do minimal plucking in favour of removing only the breast meat. If treated as ‘game’ the whole duck responds well to plenty of added herbs and slow, casserole-style cooking but the breast meat can be something of a delicacy if first steamed to soften then tossed in a hot pan with herbs and spices, Asian style. |