By Jessica Rowe
Farmers are getting ready to open fire on canada geese, after they say numbers have been increasingly getting out of control.
They're a popular game bird, but in early June they will be classified a pest, meaning farmers will now be able to manage the numbers on their own farms.
Hunters have gathered for what could be their last goose hunting competition. Prizes were given to the hunters who collected the most geese legs, ending up with more than 8,000 pairs in total.
But that number's still not enough for farmers, as the bird competes with stock for the same pasture, eating grass and fouling on the paddocks.
“It's basically three geese to one sheep. So you don't have to have too many geese around to make an impact on the pasture,” says Federated Farmers’ John Hartnell.
On the ninth of June, canada geese will no longer be protected as a hunting resource under Fish and Game regulations, meaning farmers can shoot geese on their farm whenever they like.
“I think there will be some relief. It now does allow them to get out there and do something and so they will get together in groups and be co-ordinated in a way they seek to address the high numbers,” says Mr Hartnell.
But Fish and Game doubts farmers will be able to keep them under control.
“Farmers have lobbied to manage them themselves, personally [I] think they will struggle with that one. The hunters are doing most of the work,” says Steve Terry of Fish and Game.
And those keen hunters aren't happy.
“I'm quite disappointed to be honest. The group of hunters that I hunt with, we hunt these geese with a vengeance and we do a pretty good job. And we've got a good relationship with all the farms that we shoot on,” says hunter Hamish McMillan.
The canada goose was first introduced as a game bird. But on the ninth of June a hunting license will no longer be needed and farmers will have the freedom to open fire.
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