Media Release

Deja Vu for Duck Hunters as season ends

The weather forecast for the closing weekend of the South Island’s mallard duck hunting season is similar to that of the opening weekend; and that weekend saw good numbers of birds harvested, says Fish & Game.

Following on from the successful start to the hunting season, where some regions reported the best opening since 2007, hunters have continued to report that they are happy with how the season has progressed.

Andrew Currie Fish & Game’s South Island communications advisor says “If you have put in the effort, then there's been plenty of birds on offer, and hunters in some regions have reported multiple bag limits.”

The snow laden front which came up the South Island just over a month ago put paid to most regions’ coordinated ‘shortest day hunts’, which were designed to move on large numbers of birds which had congregated in river beds, or farm paddocks. And, according to Mr Currie, “based on reports this week it appears that large numbers of birds are still mobbed up, so it is well worth getting out and having a look at your pond.”

“With the good weather forecast for the weekend ahead, and a high number of good conditioned birds about, why wouldn’t you have one last crack at a few mallards?”

Though the mallard season is almost at an end, there is still plenty of game bird hunting opportunities, whether it be targeting paradise ducks, pukeko or quail. Mr Currie reminds hunters to “check the game bird regulations booklet for information on which species you can hunt, and in which regions after this weekend.”

ENDS

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