That Time of Year – Duck Shooting Season Opens on Saturday

Southland Fish and Game Field Officer Cohen Stewart outlines the prospects for the upcoming opening weekend of the duck shooting season.

It’s that time of year again, the opening weekend of the duck shooting season is upon us.

Many Southland hunters have made the necessary preparations to their maimai, are getting their equipment in order and are eagerly awaiting the big day, wondering what it will bring.

This year, Fish and Game is expecting an average-type season. Our mallard monitoring counts earlier in the year revealed that the population is down somewhat relative to the last two years and this is likely due to dry breeding conditions last year.

When the breeding season is dry, duckling survival is lower because there is less food available.

However, one thing that will help hunters on opening day, is the recent rain we have had.

There have been lots of puddles forming in paddocks and with puddles come earthworms which are perfect duck food.

These puddles should encourage the dispersal of ducks and ensure they are in prime condition for the table.

If you haven’t had a chance to look at your 2018 regulation booklet, bag limits and season length are the same as last season, with a 20 mallard daily bag limit for Opening Weekend May 5 and 6. A daily bag limit of 10 mallard applies every day from then on until the season closes on July 29.

For shoveler, there is a two bird daily limit; black swan have a three bird daily limit; paradise shelduck have a six bird daily limit and a there is a closed season on pukeko.

Rangers will be checking hunting licences throughout the season and hunters should carry their licence with them whilst hunting.

Southland Fish and Game wishes all hunters a safe and successful gamebird season.