Northland > Hunting News April 2008

The region is abuzz with anticipation with the word on bird numbers being the hot topic. Opening weekend is right on the doorstep so its time to prepare.

If the frantic activity being experienced by retailers is any sign to go by we should expect to have good bag limits taken this year.

Sheep Swans and a lone Canada feeding together near Kaitaia

As is always the case the whole event (opening weekend) relies heavily on the weather conditions. Fingers crossed that these will prevail and that the hunter might get a fair go at the birds available.

Hotspots appear to be where intensive crop harvesting is occurring so expect good flights between these areas after feeding periods.

Hunters whether old or new hugely under estimate the power of adequate effective calling. Embarrassment is usually the cause of ineffective duck talk, which has the effect of lessening a hunter’s prospective amount of targeted birds to shoot at.

All is not lost as hunters can now contact Fish & Game and purchase a five dollar 60 minute DVD that has been produced by the boys in Southland that covers all the rudimental aspects of Duck hunting. This production is an excellent overall media release with stacks of information and advice and tips and techniques for improving the hunter’s lot. A five-dollar outlay as opposed to opening weekend woes is a small cost considering hunters will outlay many dollars just purchasing ammunition.
 
The countdown begins in earnest so prepare/purchase and most of all pray for the weather conditions! Until next month.

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