Duck-shooters have the perfect opportunity to scope out local mai mai and ponds before this year’s duckshooting season begins.
The Riversdale Lions Club is running a tour to show people eight different mai mai and ponds.
The 80km trip around the Gore district was organised by Lions Club members Bill Tree and Trevor Roughan who would donate all the money raised on the day.
‘‘All proceeds will go back to the youth and medical needs of the districts,’’ Mr Roughan said.
The different stages of ponds and mai mai would be shown on the tour.
Duck-shooting was like a religion for many people in Southland, he said.
‘‘The hype for the duckshooting season is just as big as the shooting itself.’’
People came from throughout New Zealand and the world to use Southland ponds.
Mr Tree said unusually dry weather had dried up many ponds in the area.
Fortunately for duckshooters, plenty of quality ponds survived.
‘‘Northern Southland has some great ponds.’’
The grain fields in the area attracted more ducks which made for better shooting.
Preparation of the ponds and mai mai was like an art.
‘‘You’re always trying to draw ducks away from someone else’s pond,’’ he said.
Mr Tree and Mr Roughan were grateful for the support of sponsors and local pond owners in creating the tour.
The tour will begin with registration at the Riversdale recreation grounds at 12.30pm on Sunday.
