Early start to duck hunting season to help farmers

Fish & Game has declared a special two-weekend hunting season for paradise shelduck.

For Taranaki game bird hunters who can't wait for the May hunting season to come around some summer hunting is on offer.

Fish & Game has declared a special two-weekend hunting season for paradise shelduck to help farmers disperse flocks which can otherwise damage pastures and crops.

The first weekend is Saturday and Sunday, February 25 and 26, and the second is March 4 and 5 in the Taranaki Game Management Area "C" only. This area includes the Taranaki province north of the Waitotara River and all of the Stratford District. Hunting hours on each of the four days will be from 6.30am until 8pm. The daily bag limit has been set at 10 paradise shelduck per hunter.

Fish & Game officer Allen Stancliff says the aim is to disperse the ducks, moving them back to their home territories after they collected together for their annual moult.

"This reduces the potential for mobs to cause damage to recovering hay paddocks, chicory crops and areas of new grass, before the main game bird hunting season gets under way in May."

Hunters who want to take part in the special season must hold a 2016 game bird hunting licence and obtain a $5 permit from Fish & Game or a local gamebird licence agent. The permit is free to land occupiers who want to hunt their own land, but they do nevertheless need to hold a permit.

Mr Stancliff adds that the special March season applies to paradise shelduck only, and all other game birds remain protected. Fish & Game rangers will be out checking on compliance over the four days.

"This is a great opportunity for some enjoyable summer hunting that helps farmers - all we ask is that hunters stick to the rules. Also please remember that hunters need permission to hunt on private land - don't forget to ask the landowner."