Otago  > Hunting News May 07

Mighty fine start to duck hunting season

Balmy, summer like conditions didn’t help hunters over opening weekend with ducks flying well above the range of shotguns.

Fish & Game Officer Ian Hadland said that bags looked to be down to about a third of usual which didn’t really line up with relatively normal abundance of birds observed preseason. Mr Hadland said the duck’s are there but the conditions were not the best to harvest them over the weekend. Hunters preferred a little wind or rain to keep ducks lower.

“The golden weather will break at some stage and ducks will move around more leading to great mid season opportunities for those willing to brave the conditions”. Mr Hadland said.

Four duck hunters had their guns seized by rangers and face prosecution following an opening weekend blitz on the lower Clutha and Taieri rivers and associated wetlands at the weekend. Mr Hadland said that compliance was actually very good but Fish &Game were pretty disappointed having to seize firearms for easily avoidable offences. Three offenders had no gamebird hunting licences claiming they were on relatives’ ponds. “This is a real disappointment when we have gone to great lengths to explain the occupier privilege (of hunting without a licence) does not extend to others beyond their spouse and one son or daughter“ Mr Hadland said.

More information

Ian Hadland

Fish & Game Officer

027 254 9700

Niall Watson

Chief Executive

03 477 9076

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