Short shoot bonus for Wairarapa hunters

Wairarapa duck hunters have been granted a bonus shoot before the season opens on May 5 - but for only one species.

Wellington Fish and Game, which covers Wairarapa, has declared a short, special hunting season for paradise shelduck.

The season aims to try to disperse large gatherings of the birds, which at this time of year invade recovering hay paddocks and late summer crops, and to cull them.

Manager Phil Teal said the special hunting season would deter mobs of the birds that have the potential to become a real nuisance for farmers.

They congregate around open water each year to moult and in early February start to disperse to look for food.

"The purpose of the special season is to disperse the birds and also to slightly reduce their numbers," Mr Teal said.

The special 14-day season started last weekend with hours being limited from 6.30am to 8.30pm each day with a daily limit bag of five paradise ducks.

Reports received by Fish and Game actually show that there are fewer paradise ducks overall than was anticipated but there was still a need to disperse large mobs from cropping areas.

To legally participate in the shoot, hunters must be the holder of a 2011 game bird hunting licence or be eligible to hunt on a property as a "legal occupier" of the land.

The short, special season applies only to paradise ducks and all other game birds remain protected at this time of the year.

Mr Teal said the special season incorporates not only Wairarapa but also Manawatu and hunters are advised to check the Game Bird Hunting Regulations to make sure they are hunting in an area covered by the special season.

Paradise shelducks - commonly known as paradise ducks - are large goose-like duck endemic to New Zealand.

They usually forage grass and weeds in pairs but are crop raiders when molting.

Paradise ducks are also territorial and stoutly defend their territory when challenged.