Wellington> Hunting News April 2008

SEASON PROSPECTS

Weather that is good for holiday-makers in December and January does not always translate into great weather for ducks.  A relatively wet mid-spring in the Wellington region resulted in a good breeding season in 2007 – and we saw good numbers of dabbling duck broods.  However, a lack of early to mid summer rainfall will have affected juvenile survival due to reductions in habitat area and food supplies.  As drains and shallow ponds dry up, birds are concentrated onto permanent water areas and this can cause stress and a higher mortality rate. 

What will this mean for most hunters? On opening weekend you might not notice too much difference and in some cases it might be even better than expected.  Those that hunt on permanent water bodies are likely to do very well, as mallards will tend to use these more intensively due to the reduction in available habitat – unless it rains heaps of course!  A high rainfall event just before opening weekend might spread the birds around as they will have a greater choice of areas to forage and roost.  Those on temporary or very shallow sites will still get birds, but may have to work longer and harder for them.  However, the birds will disperse on opening weekend looking for every available refuge, so even if it appears a bit patchy on the opening, it will even itself out early on in the season.

Mallard/grey duck - ten (10) birds per day per hunter for a six week season (as per last year)
This extended period of dry weather (much drier than NIWA predicted) for both the Wairarapa and Manawatu has meant another six week season.  For mallard/grey duck a ten bird limit has been maintained – so for this species it’s the same as last year.

Paradise shelduck  - five (5) birds per day per hunter for an eight week season
Paradise shelduck population trends have been declining in recent years.  We have found that most hunters will only get about 3-4 birds per outing so a more precautionary approach has been taken this year.  A five bird limit won’t affect too many hunters, but it does take the pressure off the maximum possible harvest – with naïve parries being easy to decoy.  We are trying to manage the population over large districts, so there will be occasions when good numbers will be seen on the lowlands of Manawatu, Horowhenua and Wairarapa – but this may not be the norm.  The traditional spots in the hills have come under pressure from changing landuse and possible over-harvest.

Shoveler duck – shorter season length
In response to the results of a national survey of shoveler undertaken annually by Fish & Game regions, Wellington Fish & Game has shortened the season length till Queens Birthday Monday.  There has been a possible decline in the national population detected and Wellington Fish & Game has responded in a likewise manner to other regions, although bag limits remain the same. 

Black Swan– Longer season recommended in Area A1
Swan numbers are up so have longer season in Area A1 with a limit of three (3) per hunter per day.

Upland Game Numbers Holding
Numbers of pheasant and quail are good in the coastal areas of the Manawatu and Horowhenua.  What is not great for ducks is normally quite good for pheasant in terms of climatic conditions.  Hunting upland game in the 12,500 hectares of commercial plantation forests along the west coast is a very worthwhile way to spend a weekend this season.  Access permits for Santoft, Tangimoana, and Waiterere forests are available from selected Fish & Game licence agents for a nominal cost of $5.  Other sites on the river beds of the Otaki River and Rangitikei River provide excellent cover for pheasant and quail and great hunting opportunities.  An access guide for the Rangitikei River hunting is available from the Fish & Game office 06 359 0409.

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