Last hunt for mallard, grey duck

Game bird hunters are being urged to make the most of Queen's Birthday Weekend, as the local season for mallard and grey duck ends on Monday.

The Eastern Fish & Game Region, which includes Rotorua lakes district, Taupo, the East Coast, Tauranga and Rangitaiki Plains, set a one-month season which began on May 3, with a bag limit of six birds a day.

Senior Fish & Game officer Matthew McDougall said the seasons set for the different species were the result of some careful analysis based on ongoing monitoring including hunter surveys, banding and trend counts conducted throughout the region. He said the mallard season has proved to be hard, just as predicted, but those who'd put in the time were "getting birds for the table".

Mr McDougall said hunters were urged to make the most of this final opportunity over the next three days. He said "jumping ponds and some of the maize paddock hunting" seemed to have been more productive in this settled weather, and the last weekend of the waterfowl season should be a good time for one last walk around some of these spots.

After this weekend, it's time to swap the gumboots for some walking boots and target some different species. Paradise shelduck can be hunted until June 29, and quail, cock pheasant and pukeko until the end of August. But do check your regulation booklet, or the Fish & Game website, Mr McDougall said.

The regulations provide for fines up to $5000 for shooting a game bird out of season, so it's well worth taking some care to identify your target, he said.

Fish & Game still wants to hear from hunters who harvest any birds with bands by writing, phoning or emailing with details of the bird and its band number. Those who get their details in by the end of August go into a draw to win one of five hunting jackets provided by Hunting and Fishing New Zealand.