December 2010 saw the launch of the Waterfowl Enhancement Trust, a charitable trust established primarily for hunters interested in waterfowl.
It is a collaboration between Hunting and Fishing NZ, the Department of Conservation, and Eastern Fish & Game, and aims to increase the number of ducks available to duck hunters in the region. One of the main purposes of the trust is to supply you, the hunter, with tools (e.g. predator traps) and information to enhance waterfowl numbers. Simply put, we believe less predators like stoats and rats equals more ducks!
The basic idea behind the trust is to help hunters effectively control predators in the wetlands they hunt in, and by doing so increase the amount of ducks available to be shot in following seasons. This will also benefit native wildlife as well, so is a win-win situation for anyone involved. The project will begin in a number of selected wetlands in the Eastern region, and hunters of these wetlands will be given some tools to get started controlling the rats, stoats and other predators which we believe have a big impact on duck breeding success.
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Trustees
Christopher Ziesler
Chris Ziesler is currently the Sales and Marketing Manager for Beretta NZ. He has been in the gun trade for 42 years and is the Sports Industry Association spokesman on firearms related matters. To this end he has been heavily involved in lobbying the Minister of Conservation with regard to the status of Canada geese.
Chris also sits as the Firearm industry representative on the Mountain Safety Council Firearms Advisory Committee. An avid waterfowl hunter and photographer, he is currently owned by a black lab and Springer spaniel. He believes in preserving and enhancing wetlands in NZ for the benefit of both Hunters and wildlife (Game bird and Native). He brings to the Trust a commitment to work towards increasing game bird numbers through the initiatives being worked on.
Peter Devlin
Peter Devlin has two passions in his life, family and hunting. He is married to Dianne and they have four children, Jennifer (18), Liam (12), Alex (8) and Zack (8). Peter was a bit of a late starter when it came to hunting and did not venture out hunting game until the age of eighteen but is making up lost ground.
Peter has a Diploma in Parks and Recreation Management from Lincoln University. As a brief overview, Peter works for the Department of Conservation and was located at Pureora Forest Park for many years. He was responsible for the day to day operations of the largest ground based animal control operation happening in New Zealand at that time, approximately 4000 hectares. He learnt a lot about predators and their impacts and could see firsthand the outcome of removing them from the forest environment.
One of his strengths is the ability to bring people of different backgrounds together, and to get things done. He has big aspirations for the Waterfowl Enhancement Trust and truly believes it can make a difference.
Charles Meyer
Charlie is 38 years old and lives on the Kapiti coast with his wife Kelly and three children George (9) Harvey (6) and Rosa (4).
He owns the Otaki Hunting & Fishing New Zealand store and previously managed his family 13000su sheep and beef farm in the Wairarapa.
Charlie has been a passionate waterfowler for as long as he can remember and has hunted ducks in Canada and the UK as well as all over New Zealand. He also enjoys Pheasant shooting both walked up and Driven on Game Preserves. Having closely watched the way the latter operates, their predator control is critical to their success and Charlie believes this is something the wider NZ hunting Fraternity can learn from.
The Waterfowl Enhancement Trust is following a well proven model used overseas and simply put - More Birds... More Hunters... More Fun.
Delwyn Shepherd
Delwyn is a design based award winning landscape architect who has a strong understanding of the critical importance of ecosystem health. Wetlands are her passion and she has been involved with many restoration developments of farmland to wetlands in the Mid Northland area which has resulted in increased biodiversity in these Catchments.
Delwyn and husband Mike own Westgate Hunting & Fishing, where her role is administration manager doing all the day to day accounts and staff management. They have three adult daughters, one hunts and they all fish.
Delwyn loves getting out on the Kaipara harbour but leaves the shooting to the boys these days. She enjoys the beauty that this sport offers you, travelling down all the little inlets on the magnificent harbour.
Andrew Tannock
Andy has a lifelong passion for waterfowl and hunting. He'd like to think he puts his money where his mouth is on matters of wetland conservation, purchasing and restoring a large Manawatu Ox-bow. But as he's seen duck numbers continue to decline he realises that waterfowl need more than a home, they need hunters to step in and provide them with protection over the breeding season. Predator control is an instant fix and the evidence supporting it as effective management is graphic.
Mission Statement
To enhance wetlands and associated habitats for waterfowl by providing people with the knowledge to effectively conserve waterfowl and secure their future. Enhancement of these habitats will also benefit other wildlife.
Our Vision
To create a breeding environment that will result in a secure future for waterfowl. Wetlands will be full of waterfowl species.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sort of trap is best for what sort of predators?
Best practice recommends the use of the DOC 250 series trap. These traps have passed draft Animal Welfare guidelines for ferrets, stoats, rats and hedgehogs. It is important to use the DOC 250 series and not the DOC 200 series. Why? Because large ferrets have the strength to pull out of the DOC 200 series. These traps must be contained within a box.
The Timms Kill Trap is recommended for possums and feral cat control. These traps are intended for control of feral cats during the spring waterfowl (mallard) breeding period (August-November), and can also be operated to control possums in autumn-winter months following the period of sub-adult possum dispersal.
How do I get a trap?
If you are in the Fish and Game Eastern Region, go into the Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane or Taupo Hunting & Fishing store and fill out an application form for a FREE trap. As there are only a limited number available in year one the Waterfowl Enhancement Trust will evaluate all applications and determine who will receive traps. The trust wants to achieve as great a density of traps in one location as possible. The reason for this is, to be successful and make a difference density of traps protecting breeding birds is important.
If you are outside the Eastern Region and cannot wait to get started simply go into your local Hunting & Fishing New Zealand store and tell them the type and number of traps you want to purchase. Hunting & Fishing New Zealand has made a commitment to pass these traps on at cost price. You can choose the number and type of trap you want, pay a 50% deposit and to save in shipping cost the store will consolidate the orders into monthly deliveries.
Traps we recommend are:
DOC 250 series: Targets: ferrets, stoats, hedgehogs and rats. Cost - $50.00
Timms Trap: Targets: wild cats and possums. Cost - $44.00
Should I be conscious of other Predators - Yes?
Pukeko for example are territorial and reported by wildlife observers as aggressive towards ducklings. Puke's are intelligent and can be secretive around the breeding season, but the number of eyewitness accounts we have heard of where they have attacked and killed young ducklings is certainly a cause for concern. Pukeko are a species that has thrived on the expansion of agriculture as they have adapted to live in semi pastoral habitat so long as there are drains or wet areas to escape to. Unfortunately they share these areas with mallards! Being comical and 'cute' on TV adverts has possibly endeared Puke's to many humans, but make no mistake they will deal to unsuspecting ducklings! As pukeko can be legally hunted during the season by licenced gamebird hunters, and they are also quite edible, we suggest hunters specifically target them once or twice a season! Check your local regulations.
How will the Trust raise funds to carry out its objectives?
By enlisting a group of supporting businesses which are prepared to donate to the Trust a percentage of the profit from the sale of their goods.
How can I help?
Initially by supporting the brands that bear the Waterfowl Enhancement Trust logo as this will ensure the Trust has a healthy income. Later by getting actively involved with Trust projects, such as trapping predators in waterfowl breeding habitats.
Supporting Products
*when purchased at Hunting & Fishing New Zealand
**both pump action and semi auto
Remember to look for the Trust logo
Note - The Trust is looking for more items which can offer a rebate. We invite suggestions - even from those well outside the core hunting industry as such. Email to waterfowltrust@huntingandfishing.co.nz
Latest News
Less Predators...More Ducks!
Our autumn catalogue announced the arrival of the Waterfowl Enhancement Trust. As duck shooters we simply can't wait any longer. Fish & Game need help and who better to get alongside them than the shooting industry plus an army of hunters themselves. We need to focus on solutions, so that means there is work to be done which needs your support and help. The offer of a free tr...
Videos
New Solutions to Old Duck Problems
Stoat attacks female duck and removes eggs
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Do you have any feedback or suggestions? Please fill in the contact form below or email waterfowltrust@huntingandfishing.co.nz
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