Northland > Hunting News February 2008

Hunting Forecasts - Opening Weekend 2008?

With the Christmas break over and the reality of another years work ahead aren’t we blessed to have interruptions to our routine such as hunting and fishing? This month will kick off hunters gearing up for opening weekend 2008 with the regions special shoot next weekend (23rd & 24th Feb) for Shelduck and Canada Geese.
Shelduck numbers are high but well spread so hunters can expect to spent a bit of time searching for mobs. Canada’s on the other hand are localised from Cape Karikari north and are usually confined to private properties. Hunters will need permission to access these birds as the special weekend in no way represents a right to enter private property.
Looking ahead prospects seem favourable with excellent numbers abundant throughout the region. The annual January aerial trend counts conducted over two days covers virtually all waterfowl habitat throughout the region, which gives our office an early indication visually on the abundance or lack of all waterfowl species.
Heres our take on the 2008 season based on observation mid January.

Dabbling Ducks – Excellent visual numbers throughout the region with unusually high water levels in dams, rivers streams etc. Unseasonably greener pasture that will provide excellent foraging for fledged birds.

Shelduck -  Totals observed on traditional moult sites are relative to previous years however the abundance of water has birds dispersed over a wider area. The trend is showing the population is up on the 2007 season. Season harvest prospects will depend on birds removed during the Special shoot in February.

 Swan -  The numbers trend for Swan is slightly up on last season. As these birds are highly migratory an influx can arrive from further south given the drought conditions at any time after the count.
 Expect numbers to be average in their usual areas of concentration.

Canada Geese - Whilst controversial these birds continue to be resilient with numbers up slightly on last year. Numbers are still concentrated in the Mid to Far North and seasonal prospects should be reasonable depending on the effect that their inclusion in this years special weekend for Paradise Shelduck.

Pukeko -  No other gamebird has the ability to survive and adapt like the Pukeko. They are excellent protective parents and their numbers tend to increase despite adversity. Expect to see high numbers in the field especially with the high abundance of pasture over the warmer months.

Upland Game- The summer fortunes of our region should provide hunters with unprecedented numbers of both Pheasant and Quail. Breeding has been great for most species but exceptional for Californian Quail with numbers reported in places not seen for years. This resurgence we suspect is largely due to the public’s high interest in disposing of mammalian pests.

In summary the 2008 season should be on track for good results for all species and we sincerely hope that fortunes are right there in the hunters favour.

Till next month, tight lines and Good Hunting!!

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