<\/p>\n
\nA father carries his son over a river as part of the Molesworth Goose Hunt.
\nPhoto: Supplied\n<\/p>\n
The “magic of Molesworth” is partly what draws hundreds of hunters to the iconic high country station for the Molesworth Goose Hunt.<\/p>\n
During three hunts held over the course of the year, including the upcoming spring hunt, up to 250 hunters are spread over different blocks of the almost 500,000-acre farm in Marlborough.<\/p>\n
Hidden in hides and in brush they lie in wait, targeting Canada geese which are a pest.<\/p>\n
The Molesworth Goose Hunt goes back to at least 1985 and organiser Mike Gane estimated 90,000 have been culled in that time.<\/p>\n
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\nPhoto: 123RF\n<\/p>\n
Canada geese – large, light brown birds with a black neck and chin strap of white feathers – were first introduced to the country as gamebirds in the early 1900s and are now widespread throughout the country.<\/p>\n
In 2011 the Canada goose was declared an unprotected species, meaning it could be treated as a pest species.<\/p>\n
Weighing up to 6.5 kilograms, Gane described them as “voracious eaters”. It’s thought five geese may consume the same amount of grass as one sheep, making them a major pest on farm.<\/p>\n
“They’re pouring a lot of good green tucker in,” Gane said. “Not only do they eat all the young crops, the young grasses, … their poo is very acidic and it destroys the paddock behind them. The sheep, cows won’t graze there either.”<\/p>\n
He says this results in a “two-fold loss” and is one of the reasons the hunting weekends are organised to target the species across the massive Molesworth Station.<\/p>\n
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\nA sunset at Molesworth Station, part of the “magic”.
\nPhoto: Supplied\n<\/p>\n
Hunters come for a range of reasons, be it the challenging environment and weather conditions or proving their cunning in going up against the cunning geese.<\/p>\n
“There’s more to the hunt, than the hunt. There’s just being out there in the hills or in the bush.”<\/p>\n
Gane said he’s been asked a number of times, what’s the attraction of the Molesworth Goose Hunt.<\/p>\n
“There’s just something about the Molesworth that’s hard to put into exact words.<\/p>\n
“It could be the sheer size of the place. It can be the challenge of the winter – I’ve seen it at minus 14 degrees in the winter and I’ve also seen it at plus 42 degrees in the summer.<\/p>\n
“Maybe it is the challenge of the Canada geese themselves. Hunt them like ducks and they will beat you. They are very smart and very quick learners.<\/p>\n
“Whatever the attraction is, I just call it ‘the magic of the Molesworth’.”<\/p>\n
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\nHeavy snow covers a camp, showing how challenging the environment can be.
\nPhoto: Supplied\n<\/p>\n
The geese can be eaten though it’s an ” acquired taste”, he said. Some is used in sausages and salamis or roasted, while others might use it for pet food.<\/p>\n
Last year’s October hunt had the second highest total, with 1757 geese taken. The highest total saw 1861 geese taken in 1995.<\/p>\n
Gane expects 200 or so to sign up for next month’s hunt held the weekend before Labour Day, between 16-19 October.<\/p>\n