Northland > Hunting News May 2007 Update

Fine weather continues to hamper game bird hunters

With the season now fully up and running, expectations have been lowered with an over abundance of unseasonably fine weather. Warmth and sunlight do not usually make up the ingredients for a successful gamebird season with the rainfall levels and light winds hampering any substantial movements of birds from their safe havens during daylight hours.

Hunter feed back has revolved around digging out the summer hunting clothing and sun tan lotion and not the bird numbers. Shooters are aware of bird numbers, as visual confirmation is everywhere but usually in reserves and at night when shooting ceases.

All is not lost though as the fine weather spell is bound to break and hunters will have plenty of untouched birds from opening weekend to contend with.

Phone survey interviewing has shown that the lack of flying dabbling ducks harvested on opening weekend has been bolstered by great numbers of Shelduck in bags throughout the region. The humble, easier to shoot, Paradise Shelduck has long been recognised by Fish & Game regions as a wonderful stopgap when other ducks are scarce. Their very presence provides opportunity not only for the experienced shooter but also for the novice junior or new hunter wanting to get experience for the more wily Mallard. Over harvesting of this species is one aspect that gamebird managers must constantly monitor as bag limits can be manipulated to reflect population change.

A high point of this season for northern hunters is the extremely good numbers of upland game present which due mainly to the milder than normal weather patterns.

High fledgling rates aided by warmer breeding periods should see hunters bag great numbers of these birds.

The importance of using a dog to find and retrieve these birds is crucial and can mean the difference between a good or bad day. The thrill of hunting an unseen quarry is often a prelude to explosive flight and quick reaction type shooting.

Northland has several different pamphlets on upland game for both access and procedure so contact our office to receive information and advice.

As the season progresses, species regulations change so hunters need to be aware and keep abreast of these changes.

Ignorance of these regulations is taken extremely seriously by Fish & Game personnel and voluntary ranging officers. Being informed is your responsibility and is best sourced from your hunting/access regulation booklet, which is received with your licence.

Stay tuned for next month’s prospects, as we can be sure that the weather will break providing better opportunity.

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