A brief outline of prospects across different types of game, supplied by Fish and Game Taranaki.
Mallard & Grey duck
Regular spring rainfall provided good conditions for brood rearing and sizeable clutches of newly-hatched mallard and grey duck were observed right through until late December on the region's rivers, streams and ponds.
Good growing conditions over summer produced abundant food supplies for ducks and as a result there has been excellent survival of the fledged juveniles, and ducks are in very good condition going into the game season.
The traditional opening weekend pond shooting over decoys should be well worthwhile, but walk-up shooting along streams and rivers and on farm oxidation ponds will be a good alternative.
Paradise shelduck
Fish & Game's January 2012 counts of moulting paradise shelduck indicate that populations remain stable at good levels in the Waimarino, Whanganui and Taranaki ringplain areas, while numbers were lower than average in Whangamomona, Tahora, Okau, Ahititi and Mohakatino. But with 22,000 paradise shelduck counted at the 81 sites visited this year, there will be plenty of birds available for hunters. Dairy farmers are planting increasing acreages of chickory and this is proving to be very attractive to paradise. These areas, along with the usual stubble fields, hay paddocks and areas of new grass will be hot spots for hunting over silhouette decoys.
Shoveler duck
While shoveler duck are not common in Taranaki, a record 451 birds were counted on coastal dune lakes and ponds in the region during the national survey carried out in early August 2011. Hunters may encounter small numbers of these fast flying birds on coastal wetlands and they make good eating despite their small size, but hunters must ensure they differentiate them from grey teal, which are fully protected.
Black swan
Black swan are scattered throughout the region, but are most common on coastal dune lakes and ponds. In January 2012, 693 swan were counted at 50 sites in the region, so Taranaki has only a small proportion of the national population. With a daily bag limit of one bird per hunter, swan are a good bonus bird for hunters, particularly on opening weekend.
Pukeko
Pukeko are most common within Taranaki province and up to 96 per cent of the annual harvest of about 900 birds is taken in this area.
Seven years of drive-by counts along randomly- selected road transects in the region have shown that the pukeko population remains stable. With an increased bag limit of 10 birds (see changes to season regulations) pukeko make an exciting addition to pond jumping hunts.
Pheasant and California quail
Habitat has been much reduced for these species, but there are still areas where a mix of pine forest, native bush, gorse and barberry provide good hunting opportunities. A personal approach to farmers may result in access for hunting. Permits to hunt in Wanganui and Wellington coastal pine forests can also be obtained from the Wanganui office of Fish & Game.