Duck shooting season kicks off with a bang

Duck Shooting season starts this weekend. Photo / Warren Buckland

There should be plenty of ducks for shooters to blast at in the Hawke's Bay region for the opening of duck shooting season, says Fish & Game.

The official opening of duck shooting season begins today at 6am.

Hawke's Bay Fish & Game's senior fish and game officer Nathan Burkepile said that while the ducks are more dispersed than usual at this time of year, with some scouting, a duck hunter should be able to locate several good duck hunting locations throughout the Hawke's Bay region.

"Reports from the field indicate that we had a good waterfowl breeding season and hope that this will translate into a successful opening weekend," Mr Burkepile said.

He said they sold about 3000 licences each year, and due to the family nature of the event, many came from outside the region.

Avid duck hunter John Paling echoed these sentiments, noting the season looked promising.

"There should be plenty of ducks around. We haven't had too much rain so the ponds are looking good and everyone should have a good shoot this year."

This year he is going to be joined by his 9-year-old grandson and 5-year-old granddaughter.

While he and many other hunters are hoping the weather is not ideal, the forecast is looking like this won't be the case, with a high of 19C.

It is set to be fine, with high cloud and northeasterlies developing in the afternoon.

With the start of the new season, police were urging those venturing out to stay safe and would be out with Fish & Game again this year.

The joint approach is aimed at educating hunters, promoting hunting safety and compliance with Fish & Game hunting regulations and firearms laws.

They'll be checking hunters are properly licensed, conducting themselves responsibly, and offering advice on how to stay safe.

Acting Superintendent Mike McIlraith said to ensure a safe and successful season, they needed hunters to be vigilant when hunting in such close proximity to each other and avoid serious injuries or worse.

"I can't emphasise enough the importance of handling firearms safely. It is critical hunters treat every firearm as loaded, always point firearms in a safe direction and to check your firing zone.

"Anyone who is planning to use a firearm is required to have a valid firearms licence and comply with the New Zealand Arms Code," says McIlraith.

"Going hunting with your mates can be good fun and having a drink with your mates can be fun too - but these two activities should never be mixed.

"Operating a firearm safely requires vigilance and good judgement, so skip the alcohol until the firearms are locked away safely," he says .

Hunting safety information can be found in the Mountain Safety Council website, and hunters at all levels of experience are encouraged to check out this material.

The police's seven basic firearms safety rules:
· Treat every firearm as loaded
· Always point firearms in a safe direction
· Load a firearm only when ready to fire
· Identify your target beyond all doubt
· Check your firing zone
· Store firearms and ammunition safely
· Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms.