Beth Lecky and Anna Wallis were up early this morning sitting quietly in the mai mai they built with a friend near a tidal stream ready for the opening day of duck hunting season.

But it was a day for ducks, not shooters.

Beth Lecky and Anna Wallis outside the mai mai they built with a friend for the duck shooting season.

'It's just too fine - never mind, it's supposed to rain on Monday so that might be better,” says Beth who has been duck shooting for about 13 years.

It was Beth who introduced Anna to the sport after the two met at clay bird shooting events.

Both are now members of the Western Bay of Plenty Fish and Game Club and Anna, an office administrator from Tauranga, had her first taste of duck shooting last season.

'I got a couple of ducks, and a pheasant,” says Anna.

The pair began work on the 1.5 metre square mai mai a few months ago. It was pre-fabricated off site and erected close to the small tidal stream.

'However, the floods we had last month picked it up and moved it so we had to move it back,” says Beth.

Wooden kiwifruit pallets form the floor, while the outside is painted green and further disguised with ti tree and camouflage webbing. Inside are folding chairs but few other home comforts.

'There's no alcohol either. Alcohol and shooting don't mix,” says Beth, the Katikati grandmother who over the years has encouraged many women to take up shooting.

Anna didn't grow up with shooting but once she tried clay bird shooting, enjoyed the challenge of shooting moving targets.

Where are the ducks? Anna Wallis and Beth Lecky had no luck on opening morning today.

'I sat my firearms licence with my brother and have just loved the sport ever since. Beth has taken me under her wing and taught me a lot.”

The women believe it is important to use the birds they shoot and Anna has also learned from Beth how to pluck and prepare the game and cook some of her best recipes.

'Slow cooking is the best.”

It may be regarded as a man's sport but Anna and Beth have found their male counterparts supportive and encouraging.

'They are keen to help us be the best shooters we can and get the most from the sport,” says Anna who shoots with an Escort semi-automatic Magnum, while Beth has an SKB semi-automatic.

'You are only allowed three shots in the gun which gives the ducks a better chance,” says Beth.

Today, however, it was the fine still conditions which gave the birds their very best chance to avoid hunters.

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