Young hunter numbers shoot up by 70%

Jon Beddis and Emma Woods, 11, are part of a group of family friends who shoot together during duck season. Photo / Christine Cornege

The number of young Kiwi duck hunters has increased by more than 70 per cent in the past 14 years.

Duck shooting season kicks off tomorrow, with most regions reporting healthy numbers of ducks thanks to a late burst of rain in the past month.

Fish & Game's Don Rood said a young hunter was classed as between 12 and 18, but those aged under 16 could hunt only under direct supervision of an adult.

"In 2000, there were 1804 junior whole-of-season licences sold. In 2014, there were 3097. This is in line with adult licence sales. In 2000, there were 30,159 licences of all kinds sold. In 2014, 36,962 licences of all kinds were sold."

Huntly duck shooter and world clay target shooting champion Jon Beddis first went duck shooting with his father when he was 7 years old. He observed until he was 10 and hasn't looked back since. He did the same with his son, Mitchell, 17.

"I just went out with dad of course and got addicted at a fairly young age. I went out with him when I was 7 and started shooting when I was 10."

Mitchell and daughter, Emma, 15 - who began joining them two years ago - were always at his side, along with Mr Beddis' friend Russell Woods and his two children, Jack and Emma.

Mr Beddis believed it was a great bonding experience for parents and their children.

"[Mitchell] just wanted to come out with Dad, he just loves it. It's awesome, we love it out there."

Duck numbers appeared to be on the up around the country, he said.

In Taranaki, a good breeding season and relatively strong duck numbers have allowed the season to stay at eight weeks with a 10-bird daily bag limit for mallard and grey ducks.

Duck numbers were returning to normal in the Auckland/Waikato region after floods in the past few springs.