Hundreds of Northlanders will be taking to their maimai today for the start of duck hunting season, and the ducks around Riponui will have to keep an eye out for the boys from the Towgood family if they want to survive the next few weeks.
Duck shooter David Towgood and sons Alex, Eric and Cole will be heading to a pond at Riponui for the opening day today, in a bit of father-son bonding that is now four generations old.
The New Zealand duck shooting season starts each year on the first Saturday in May, when the highest number of hunters take part and most birds are shot.
Mr Towgood said he and his elder boys Eric and Cole will be at the pond first thing carrying on a family tradition. Alex, who will do some duck calling, will come along around lunchtime with his mum.
Mr Towgood started duck shooting with his father Royce when he was just a lad after Royce had started with his own father in the area.