A hunter who dumped duck carcasses in the Eastern bay is being described as thoughtless and lazy.

About 50 duck carcasses were found dumped in Wardlaw Glade in the Eastern Bay of Plenty last weekend.

Dumped duck carcasses could be considered as littering and people could face a hefty fine if authorities decide to prosecute. File photo.

Hunter Puterangi found the pile of about 50 ducks yesterday afternoon after pulling into the rest-stop on his way back from Waimana, reports the Whakatane Beacon.

The PJ Brogden Contracting worker described the find as 'sickening”.

Fish & Game Eastern region manager Andy Garrick describes the act as just plain laziness.

'At best it's appalling laziness and where birds have not been breasted it is an inexcusable waste of good game meat. This sort of act goes against all our codes of practice and ethics and those responsible have no place in gamebird hunting ranks.

'We are all about sustainability and that means thinking hard about how many birds you are harvesting. Why would you take more birds than you can reasonably eat yourself or provide to friends and family?”

Andy says this sort of action reflects badly on the majority of hunters who behave ethically, respect their quarry, and are aware of the need to be conservation-minded where bird populations are concerned.

'This sort of person is either lazy, thoughtless, incredibly ignorant or couldn't care less – or a combination of those.

'We are running in our next hunting newsletter a reminder to hunters of how they should be disposing of carcasses. In a farm situation birds can be dumped in an offal pit, or they can be buried.

'It doesn't take effort to carry a spade with you and dig a hole and bury carcasses.

You can always take birds tightly bagged along for disposal at a normal council rubbish disposal facility.”

Fish & Game have no jurisdiction over such acts but local authorities can take appropriate action under the Litter Act.

'Under regional environmental laws that provide for people or companies to be prosecuted for polluting waterways and face some big fines. Fish & Game is happy to leave this sort of enforcement with the appropriate authorities.”

People out and about can play their part – either call their local council or Fish & Game on 07-357 5501 to report any such dumping.