Special summer duck hunting season

or those gamebird hunters out there who just cannot wait until the first Saturday in May, the Central South Island Fish & Game region has some summer hunting opportunities available. A special season for Mallard and Paradise shelduck is available for the first two weekends of February (1st-2nd & 8th-9th).

The summer season is designed to help farmers - by dispersing the large flocks of paradise shelducks, which congregate post moult and can damage farm pasture and crops.

“Bird numbers, coupled with the good late summer weather, offer hunter a chance to get out in the paddock, without having to carry the extra gear associated with the regular hunting season, and also provides a chance to give the gun dog a run before opening weekend.”

The special mallard season applies to that part of the Central South Island Fish & Game region north of the Opihi River, only over agricultural grain crops and green feed paddocks, and more than 200 metres from any water body.

The special Paradise shelduck season applies to all of the Central South Island Fish & Game region excluding Lake Wainono and the surrounding area.

Daily bag limits are 15 for paradise shelduck and 10 for Mallard duck and any hybrid of that species.

Hamish Stevens reminds hunters that shooting game birds on private land requires permission; this can be as simple as a knock on the door.

“The summer season is a great way for you to make full use of your game licence. So if you’re after some exciting summer hunting and want to make the local farmer your friend get out and get into it!” urges Mr Stevens.

The season is open to all hunters that hold a current 2013 gamebird licence. For hunters that don’t hold a current gamebird licence they can be purchased easily through the Fish & Game website http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/buy-your-licence-now.

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