Eastern Region Fish and Game says the duck hunters who'll succeed in the face of another challenging season are the ones who are smart and adaptable.
Senior Fish and Game officer Matthew McDougall said the start of the season, on May 3, could again be tough.
The Eastern Region includes the East Coast, Tauranga, Taupo, the Rangitaiki Plains and Rotorua Lakes district.
Mr McDougall said to succeed, hunters needed to adapt quickly to the circumstances.
"Smart and adaptable hunters will get the payoff."
Mr McDougall said being adaptable might also mean heading into some farm paddocks to target paradise shelduck, going on a pheasant or pukeko shoot, or targeting black swan on some of those big water areas, such as Tauranga Harbour.
Trend count results suggest the black swan populations are as high as they've been for many years in the Bay of Plenty, particularly on Tauranga Harbour and Lake Rotorua. "We are encouraging hunters to do their homework - read up on how to hunt 'big waters'."
Mr McDougall said heading out on a duck hunt was about much more than getting big bags - for many there's plenty of enjoyment in the challenge, "having fun with family members or some mates and taking part in a Kiwi tradition". One annual message to hunters is that hunting and alcohol don't mix. "Clean your birds and then have a drink - it's far safer and more enjoyable approach to the game bird season."
Rangers will be out in force over opening weekend. Hunters will have their licences checked and if they're found with lead shot, banned within 200m of open water, it will be seized and prosecution will follow.