DSC_4566 NZ Pigeon

This bird used to be in huge numbers many years ago.

I dare say they fueled early New Zealanders during colonisation by Maori and European peoples,

Fact, some still see them as nothing more than a resource to harvest for their own selfish reasons.

Years ago as a young fellow, I was a ranger with the then Wildlife service of internal affairs dept.

While checking on an area at Puketi I came across a person with several Pigeons in a pikau ( Hessian sack split crosswise on one side only to be thrown over a horse ).

I confiscated his illegal bounty plus his shotgun and served him with an infringement notice amidst swearing and threats of violence.

Two weeks later a fellow officer along with a Forestry ranger duplicated the same scenario, with the same person, same situation.

The offender tried to swing past the two men on his horse.

My colleague grabbed the reigns to stop the offender escaping with the result being he had his hand blown off by a shotgun round..

Subsequent police action dealt with the offender, which shows the length people will go to perpetrate what they consider "their" rights.... Yea right, a letter or permit from God perhaps

Done