Northland > Hunting News May 2009

 Northland hunter’s success during Opening Weekend varied according to the weather in their part of the region. Hunters in Mangawhai through Whangarei experienced heavy rain, flooding creeks and small rivers, dispersing birds and making access to hunting sites difficult for some hunters. From Whangarei to the Bay of Islands, there was light rain and from the Bay of Islands to the tip of Northland the weather was clear. Here hunters fared very well, some achieving their bag limits by 9.30am.

The general consensus is that this is the best season so far for the last 6 or 7 years. There are plenty of birds with large flocks of Paradise Shelduck to be harvested. The very rough weather over the last 10 days, with strong winds and high rainfall, is keeping the birds inland resulting in an increased “take” for hunters.  At the time of writing (11 May 2009), one hunter commented that he and a mate had already shot 200 birds this season.

Rudi Hoetjes, Regional Manager, Fish & Game NZ (Northland)

back to Both Barrels

If you would like to be kept in touch with Gamebird hunting news and other hunting information, please sign up for Both Barrels, our Gamebird hunting email newsletter.