Eastern Region Fish and Game say there are plenty of game birds around for the start of the hunting season this weekend – if the weather plays its part.

The season opens on Saturday, May 7 amongst heavy rain warnings for the Bay of Plenty.
Metservice are warning of heaving rain falls of up to about 30mm per hour.

Rain didn't stop Bay of Plenty hunter Chris Aitkens bagging his first duck of the season Saturday morning, retrieved by dog Bella.

'The prospects are good but as usual, success will depend on other factors including a hunter's skills and the weather,” says Fish and Game Officer John Meikle.

'There's been so much rain around that birds may be quite widely scattered with a number found in flooded paddocks, ” which means that hunters may find fewer birds flying into ponds.

'Instead of sitting in a maimai, hunters need to be prepared to shift their position to say, beside a paddock under camouflage netting. It's a matter of relocating your hunting opportunities for the weekend,” says John.

He says success on the day can't be measured by the number of birds which are bagged. He says the opening is as much about 'having fun with your mates and kids and enjoying the excitement of the day, and taking part in a Kiwi tradition”.

'The traditional opening is as much about being with family and friends in the maimais, as bagging a few ducks.”

He's appealing to hunters who harvest any birds with bands to contact Fish and Game. 'Please phone us with details of the bird, its band number and where it was taken.”

Another key message to hunters turning out for the opening is that hunting and alcohol don't mix, says John – 'so please leave your alcohol at home”.

'Clean your birds and then have a drink – it's far safer and more enjoyable approach to the game bird season.”

Rangers are out in force over the weekend in joint patrols with honorary rangers. Hunters can expect to have their licences checked and if they're found with lead shot – now banned within 200 metres of open water – it will be seized and prosecution will follow.

Hunting without a licence is simply not worth the risk given substantial
fines and the loss of your firearm, says John.

He says there is no need to try and pack everything into one weekend, especially if the weather isn't favourable.
'There are plenty of hunting opportunities throughout the season to take advantage of good bird populations.”