Hunters cull 1400 geese

Notoriously elusive canada geese were no match for 200-odd determined hunters who converged on Molesworth Station during Labour Weekend.

This year's Molesworth spring goose hunt culled more than 1400 birds during the popular four-day shoot.

Marlborough Fish and Game field officer Vaughan Lynn said apart from a sprinkling of rain and snow on Saturday morning, hunters were treated to warm fine days but extremely cold nights.

The excellent weather for shooting meant the kill - while still being tallied - was on a par with the record 1416 geese shot last spring.

Hunters used a variety of tactics against the birds, including employing retriever dogs, decoys, goose calls, rafts for river crossings and access, hand-held radios and camouflage.

- NZPA