Best duck-shooting in years forecast

It's looking to be a bumper duck hunting season

The duck population is booming across Otago, signalling a "vintage" season for shooters.

Otago Fish and Game Council operations manager Ian Hadland said more than 4000 duck-shooters in Otago were in for "the best season in years".

The duck-shooting season starts in Otago at 7am tomorrow. A helicopter was used recently by the council to monitor the mallard duck population, revealing a larger than usual  population, Mr Hadland said.

Shooters preparing mai mais had reported greater numbers of birds on their ponds than past seasons.

The reports were consistent across the region and country.  The wet spring and summer had increased the survival rate of waterfowl broods, he said.

"We have also seen an increase in the number of farmer complaints about high duck numbers causing crop damage," Mr Hadland said.

The feedback "points to what should be a vintage season".

However, duck-shooters' success depended on weather conditions.

The forecast across most of Otago tomorrow was for fine and calm weather, which might favour the ducks.

"Everyone should get a few for the table tomorrow and it is a three-month season."
Gamebird hunting licence sales were up 10% on the same time last year, he said.

The increase could be a result of "excited" duck-shooters getting prepared earlier.
"Duck-shooters seem better organised this year. That's probably related to the positive prospects for the season."

Otago Coastal area prevention manager Inspector Kelvin Lloyd said police wanted duck-shooters to remember basic safety rules before leaving for the mai mai.

Safer shooting

• Always identify the target and be aware of where the shot will travel.
• Treat every firearm as loaded and  ensure it is pointed in a safe direction.
• Alcohol consumption should only start when the duck-shooting has finished.
• Firearms must always be secured against theft, especially if the owner does not have "direct oversight".
• Always seek the permission of the property owner before shooting on their land.

shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz