Pest Quest hailed as great success

Waimate Pest Quest organisers (from left) Brendan Matthews, Rory Moore and Craig McCarthy. Photo...
Waimate Pest Quest organisers (from left) Brendan Matthews, Rory Moore and Craig McCarthy. Photo by Rebecca Ryan.
More than 1000 wallabies, 100 possums and 60 pigs were shot over the weekend as hunters turned out in force for the annual Waimate Pest Quest.

The competition, which started on Friday, ended yesterday afternoon with pigs, wallabies, possums, rabbits, hares and ferrets lined up for a weigh in at the Waimate Rugby Club.

More than 200 entries were received and organiser Rory Moore said the event had again been very successful.

''This one weekend does a pretty good job [of pest control] around here,'' Mr Moore said.

He said it was great to see so many families taking part in the Pest Quest, as well as the pig and hare carrying competitions yesterday afternoon.

''That's what we do it for; it's for the next generation,'' Mr Moore said.

The event, run by the Waimate Shooters Club, was this year held at the Waimate Rugby Club and Mr Moore thanked the club and all of the sponsors for their support.

The heaviest pig, at 70kg, was shot by Ian Leithwick. Hayden Mathews had the average weight boar, which tipped the scales at 45.5kg.

In the wallaby section, Graeme Henderson had the heaviest buck weighing 20kg, Hamish O'Donnell had the heaviest doe weighing 14.2kg and Glen Ralston gained the highest tally, lining up 274 wallabies.

The highest rabbit and hare tally went to Joe White, who shot 161.

In the possum section, Ben Hart shot the heaviest buck and also gained the highest tally, while Michael Chamberlain had the heaviest doe.

-rebecca.ryan@odt.co.nz

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