Taranaki > Hunting News April 2008

GAMEBIRD HUNTING SEASON OPENS SATURDAY 3rd MAY

With recent rain helping to replenish local wetlands, Taranaki Region hunters are looking forward with anticipation to the opening of the 2008 game season, which starts at 6.30am on Saturday 3rd May.

In south Taranaki and Wanganui, the modest rainfall received in recent days will ensure Mallard duck remain concentrated on wetlands, lakes and ponds that held water throughout the dry summer and autumn. Hunters with access to these areas should do well on opening weekend, particularly if there is some rough weather to keep the birds flying low and prevent them from rafting up at sea. Substantial rainfall in the northern and central Taranaki areas and in the Waimarino has seen Mallards moving further a-field to take advantage of food supplies available in wet paddocks and re-flooded drains and creeks. But, hunters on permanent water wetlands will still see plenty of action as birds return to their summer haunts once the shooting starts.

For hunters whose usual ponds remain dry, farm oxidation ponds can hold substantial numbers of Mallards and provide good morning or evening hunting in addition to the usual jump-shooting. Walking the rivers and streams can also be productive, as can setting up a few decoys on river pools that are used as loafing areas. Mallards are still coming in to feed in some maize and grain stubble fields and where supplementary feed is being given to stock and the use of “robo-duck” decoys can provide some exciting evening shoots in these areas.

Paradise shelduck remain at very good levels throughout Taranaki and Wanganui and hunters can expect to see plenty of birds on opening weekend. January moult counts for Paradise remained below their historical average in the Waimarino, but good mobs are present there too and a 10-bird limit has been set for opening weekend to give hunters a bit more opportunity. A 5-bird limit has been retained for the rest-of-season in the Waimarino. With recent rainfall encouraging pasture recovery and the emergence of new sown grass, farmers will welcome a harvest of Paradise shelduck from paddocks favoured by the birds.

In north Taranaki, a population of 750 Canada geese is present on lakes and ponds located between Waitara and Manutahi, with good mobs residing in the New Plymouth, Okato, Opunake and Hawera coastal areas. Goose numbers have declined in the Waimarino in recent years, but the flock still totals around 300 birds and they should be able to be targeted as they visit some of the larger dams and fly out to feed in cropping and grassland areas.  A modest population of around 100 Canada geese is present on the chain of coastal dune lakes north and south of Wanganui and they will provide a good bonus bird in the coming season. Hunters may get a few geese jump-shooting or by having birds drop into their ponds on opening weekend, but the successful targeting of geese often requires plenty of groundwork to find out where the birds are feeding and roosting, along with the use of a good spread of decoys (which can include parry decoys) and attention to camouflage.
 
Some good mobs of Black swan are present on coastal lakes in the region and also on a few of the larger dams in the Waimarino, but hunters are limited to 1 swan per day to ensure the population remains at sustainable levels.

The dry summer and autumn conditions have been favourable for upland game populations and areas of good habitat are currently holding reasonable numbers of pheasant and a few quail. Permits are available at a cost of $5 from Fish & Game offices for upland game hunting in a number of Wanganui and Wellington Region coastal forests, including Lismore, Harakeke, the Justice Block and Nukumaru Recreation Reserve.

Hunters are reminded of the need to obtain a game licence and carry it with them when hunting.  Waterfowl hunters must also not have any lead shot in their possession when using a 10 or 12 gauge shotgun within 200 metres of open water.  This means no lead shot in the maimai, even if it’s packed away. Rangers will be out checking on compliance and with game offences carrying a criminal conviction, a maximum fine of $5,000, plus possible forfeiture of your shotgun, it’s just not worth the risk.

Regulations and hunting information for all North Island Fish and Game Regions are contained in the 2008 gamebird hunting guide issued free with your licence.  Game licences are available from most local sports shops and can also be purchased with a credit card by phoning 0800 LICENCE (542 362) or logging on to www.fishandgame.org.nz

Allen Stancliff
Fish and Game Officer

Click here to see Taranaki regulations

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