Otago > Hunting News April 08

Otago Prospects

Duck populations throughout most of Otago are looking healthy for the opening of the 2008 waterfowl hunting season on May the 3rd.

Lakes Waihola and Waipori are holding large numbers of ducks and swans and the fertile Taieri Plains are generating plenty of food to keep birds in the area.

The South Otago area appears to have the largest waterfowl population in the region. Hunters dressing their stands have reported seeing large flocks of mallards on the Lower Clutha and Pomahaka Rivers, and there is no shortage of birdlife on Lake Tuakitoto. There are also large numbers of ducks concentrated on The Lower Tokomairiro and The Waiwera Rivers, especially where grain has been grown.

Although many farm ponds in North Otago are quite low, the major estuaries such as the Shag and the Waikouaiti are holding good numbers of waterfowl.

In Central Otago most large ponds are carrying good numbers of mallards. With no summer paradise duck season over the past two years, the number of parries throughout central is looking good. Hunters on large water bodies should also be prepared for Canada geese, especially in the Glenorchy, Matukituki and Upper Manuherikia River areas.

Hunters who haven’t found somewhere to go are advised to sort out shooting positions and access arrangements as soon as possible. Fish and Game Officer Ian Hadland said “commonly there is a last minute panic by those who haven’t sorted an area to hunt and the access to it. This is easily avoided by doing a little homework.  And it doesn’t hurt to get your shooting skills up to scratch to avoid disappointment on the day too. A round of sporting clay bird targets at a local gun club can really make a difference on the day in terms of dropping one or two for a feed”.

Retailers are reporting steady licence and ammunition sales with a lot of interest shown in the new equipment on the market this year.

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