Canada Geese in the gun

Wairarapa duck hunters are dusting off their shotguns in anticipation of a good opening morning when the duck shooting season starts on May 4.

An early reconnaissance of lakes, ponds and other waterways by Fish and Game suggests the district's hunters can expect a similar shoot to the last heavy drought year, 2008.

Wellington Fish and Game manager Phil Teal said lots of birds had been seen but their distribution was "patchy".

"We had a very good breeding season due to the benign, mild conditions and when the rain does eventually come you will see ducks leaving the backwaters of rivers and fly out to look for flooded paddocks to feed," he said.

The main duck shooting season will go through to June 30 and the season for pheasants will end on August 25.

By being declared a pest, Canada Geese have been removed from the shooting schedule and it is open slather to shoot that species all year round.

The effect of an open season on Canada Geese, coupled with organised helicopter shots, seems to have reduced the bird population at least as far as the numbers of large flocks are concerned.

Farmers blame Canada Geese for destroying pastures and leaving behind a trail of slimy excreta but the birds are becoming increasing popular as a table bird due to their prized breast fillets.

Limit bags for other species remain much the same as in other years with hunters legally able to take 10 mallards or paradise ducks a day and - in Wairarapa - two black swans.

A hunting licence costs $90 for an adult shooter, $20 for a junior and $2 for a child.

Mr Teal said Fish and Game rangers will be out in force checking that shooters are playing by the rules.

He said last season staff made a point of checking areas that had not been checked for several years and they will continue to do the same this season.