Bay of Plenty game bird hunters are being urged to make the most of Queen's Birthday weekend, with Eastern Fish and Game Region's season for mallard and grey ducks ending on Monday.

This means hunter have one last long weekend to bag the daily limit of six birds of each species.

The grey, mallard and shoveler duck season in Auckland Waikato Fish and Game region ends 6.30pm this Monday. Photo: Jeanette Nee.

Fish and Game senior officer Matthew McDougall says the seasons set by the Eastern Council for the different species are the result of some careful analysis – they're based on ongoing monitoring including hunter surveys, banding and trend counts from throughout the region.

Matthew says the mallard season has proved to be hard, just as predicted 'but those who've put in the time are getting birds for the table”.

'The hens that have survived, at least in part thanks to the short season, will go on to breed next year.”

Matthew says hunters are urged to make the most of this final opportunity during the three-day long weekend. 'Take your dog and gun – and get out and enjoy the fresh air.”

He says 'jumping ponds and some of the maize paddock hunting” seems to have been more productive in this settled weather, and the last weekend of the waterfowl season should be a good time for one last walk around some of these spots.

And after this weekend, it's time to swap the gumboots for some walking boots and target some different species.

Paradise shelduck can be hunted until June 29, and quail, cock pheasant and pukeko until the end of August.

'Don't pack up early for winter, turn your attention to some of these birds that make for exciting hunting, especially with a dog to flush the birds.

'But do check your regulation booklet or the Fish and Game website: www.fishandgame.org.nz”

The regulations provide for fines up to $5000 for shooting a game bird out of season, so it's well worth taking some care to identify your target, says Matthew.

Fish and Game still wants to hear from hunters who harvest any birds with bands – by writing, phoning or emailing with details of the bird and its band number.

Those who get their details in by the end of August go into a draw to win one of five hunting jackets provided by Hunting and Fishing New Zealand. For information, visit the Fish and Game website.