Tips for successful duck shooting

It's almost hunting season and very soon some of the healthiest wild food in New Zealand will be available to Wanganui hunters.

Hunter harvests are a vital component of game bird population management and all Fish and Game regions rely on hunting to reduce population numbers to a sustainable level.

The tradition of duck hunting is as Kiwi as Sunday lamb roast and rugby and the season's opening weekend in May each year is eagerly anticipated by thousands of duck hunters across the country. I can report that regional bird numbers are looking good and we have a very healthy duck population. We had a relatively wet summer and mild autumn (so far) and this has kept the region's wetlands topped up with water and has provided ideal breeding and rearing conditions and as a result good sized broods have been a common sight on many of the region's wetland areas.

Despite good birds numbers things do not always go in the hunter's favour and as always the weather is a key element of the season's opening weekend. Fine weather over the weekend is a worst case scenario for the hunter and a duck's delight.

We are hoping for strong southerly winds which will move birds from the coast and estuaries further inland to seek shelter, it will also disperse birds over a wider area making them more accessible to hunters and more inclined to be attracted by calls and decoys.

While traditional maimai pond shooting over decoys will be favoured by most hunters at the start of the season it's not the only option and it may pay to think on alternatives - especially if the weather favours the duck. If the birds are either not moving or are too high and out of range then consider switching from static to mobile tactics. Walk-up shooting along streams and rivers, or jump shooting farm ponds, is a great alternative to sitting in a hot maimai hoping the birds will drop in on you.

Many farmers will welcome hunters who want to hunt paradise shelduck over feed crops such as chickory and all that is required is a few a few decoys and a basic camouflage or hay bale hide.

Take some time now before the opening weekend and contact your local farmers for alternative places to hunt.

Remember the opening weekend is just the start of the season, but it will need some thought to make sure it's not a complete waste of time. Plan now, contact your local farmers now for alternative hunting and make sure you are ready for the start of the duck season on May 5!

May 5 is also the start of the upland game bird (pheasant and quail) hunting season as well.

Supplied by Fish and Game Taranaki

About Fish and Game

Fish & Game New Zealand manages, maintains and enhances sports fish and game birds and their habitats in the best long-term interests of present and future generations of anglers and hunters.

Fish & Game NZ is everyone who buys a fishing or hunting licence - it is a 'user pays, user says' non-profit organisation that receives no government or taxpayer money.

An important difference between Fish & Game New Zealand and other public organisations is that Fish & Game is run by councils elected by the people who buy licences.

Taranaki Fish & Game Council is a public entity, established under the Conservation Act 1987, it is one of 13 such councils and is the statutory manager of sports fish and game bird resources in this region.

If you would like to learn more about Fish & Game New Zealand visit our website at www.fishandgame.org.nz.

Fish & Game New Zealand manages, maintains and enhances sports fish and game birds and their habitats in the best long-term interests of present and future generations of anglers and hunters.

Fish & Game NZ is everyone who buys a fishing or hunting licence - it is a 'user pays, user says' non-profit organisation that receives no government or taxpayer money.

An important difference between Fish & Game New Zealand and other public organisations is that Fish & Game is run by councils elected by the people who buy licences.

Taranaki Fish & Game Council is a public entity, established under the Conservation Act 1987, it is one of 13 such councils and is the statutory manager of sports fish and game bird resources in this region.

If you would like to learn more about Fish & Game New Zealand visit our website at www.fishandgame.org.nz.

Firearm safety

1. 
   Treat every firearm as loaded
2. 
    Always point firearms in a safe direction
3. 
   Load a firearm only when ready to fire
4. 
   Identify your target beyond all doubt
5. 
   Check your firing zone
6. 
   Store firearms and ammunition safely
7. 
   Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms