A Taranaki landowner has been sentenced for shooting six or seven paradise shelduck out of season. (file photo)A Taranaki property owner has been fined for shooting dead six or seven paradise shelducks out of season, after the carcases of 168 birds were found floating in his pond. Paradise shelduck are endemic to New Zealand and the Minister of Conservation declares an annual open season when they may be hunted. When spoken to, he admitted shooting “six or seven ducks” at the pond on or about January 17, using a Winchester 12g pump action shotgun, which was inspected and left with him. He had fired shots into the air to scare them, and pellets from his gun were matched to six or seven ducks.

Source: Stuff September 04, 2020 01:52 UTC