Open day in Napier for those curious about duck hunting

Aspiring duck hunters are being offered the chance to learn the secrets of successful duck hunting at an open day in Napier next weekend. Photo / Supplied

Those interested in dipping their toe into the world of duck hunting this season will have a chance to learn the basics at an educational day in Napier next weekend.

The "how to" day, organised by Hawke's Bay Fish and Game, was timed for duck hunters wanting to improve their skills or beginners wanting to know how to get started ahead of the hunting season, which begins on May 5.

Fish and Game officer Nathan Burkepile said the free education day was aimed at teaching hunters how to be more successful at attracting and harvesting ducks, with an inclusive approach to novices.

"They shouldn't be worried about not knowing what to do – the programme is designed to give them practical advice in realistic hunting situations so they know what to do on opening day.

"We want those attending the education day to leave knowing more than when they arrived so they can use that knowledge to put a duck dinner on the table for their family when the season opens."

Mr Burkepile said duck hunting was far more than just tradition.

"It's a tradition, but we also hunt for food. It's a healthy alternative to store-bought food and it gets you outdoors enjoying nature.

"It is a tradition that we've followed for thousands of years, hunting has always been a part of human culture, but it's also a time to get out, enjoy things and get a few ducks for a feed or two."

Topics covered at the educational day would include different decoy duck layouts, how to prepare and build a maimai (hide), predator control and duck calling.

Mr Burkepile said while there would be no live firing there would be lessons on how to get the most from a shotgun, including patterning it to better understand how a shotgun's projectiles spread in a kill area.

"Ultimately we do kill animals and we want to do it as humanely as possible, so if you know how your gun shoots you can more humanely harvest an animal."

Safety was a "critical" part of duck hunting and the educational day would have an emphasis on this to ensure people were responsible when hunting, he said.

"We do see accidents every year. Usually they're minor and we don't see people accidentally shooting other people like we do in deer stalking but you do have three or four guys in a blind or maimai and they're in close confinement with each other so safety is incredibly important."

The Duck Hunters' Day will be held on Sunday April 15 at the Hawke's Bay Fish and Game Office on Burness Road. Entry is free.

Those attending the education day will be in the draw for a Cupped Wing Duck Call.