Hunters set to claim favourite spots

Fish and Game officers are urging game bird hunters to peg their duck shooting stands before 10am on Sunday. Photo/ Supplied

Fish and Game is urging game bird hunters to claim the maimai, or duck shooting stand, they used last year.

This can be done anytime before Sunday at 10am on pegging day, Fish and Game officer John Meikle said.

"Pegging day is the important one for hunters, hunters claim their favourite hunting spot before Sunday at 10am.

"To minimise disputes, as they do occasionally happen, we advise people to take photographs of the spot and the time they pegged it."

Mr Meikle said hunters needed to remember to peg their stand at least 90m from another stand, and to make their peg was highly visible.

"Make sure others can see it. Put the tag in an obvious place, on a pole or something similar, so it really sticks out - it's got to be obvious to other people. Take photographic evidence, which makes it easier for us if there's a dispute."

If you are claiming a stand for the first time, you must be present at 10am on Sunday to ensure your claim is valid and legal. The licence holder claiming the stand must be present in person at the stand to mark it up.

If the stand claimant has not arrived in the first hour of peg day then the stand is able to be used by any other licensed hunter for the rest of the day.

He said all information hunters needed to stay safe would be in a regulation guide they received when they purchased their 2015/2016 game bird licence, including information on season length and shooting hours.

This information is also available on the Fish and Game website.

Hunters are also urged to take advantage of the longer season for upland game birds, including pheasants and quail, which runs from May 2 to August 30. More information is available from www.fishandgame.org.nz.