The occupier of the land is normally the owner if he or she resides on the land, but that privilege can be transferred to a farm manager or sharemilkers via a written statement to Fish & Game.
Central South Island Fish & Game officer Rhys Adams said while people hunting on their own property might have the best intentions, it was important they were aware of pockets of land running through their property which was not their own.
He said that included rivers, unformed legal roads, marginal strips, Land Information New Zealand (Linz) hydro land and Department of Conservation land. If any of those areas were used as a hunting ground, a licence would be required.
"The owner/occupiers need to be very aware if they have public land strewn through some of their own property," Mr Adams said.
"They still have to abide by all game bird hunting regulations."
He said some of those affected hunters got a licence anyway, due to the likelihood they would hunt on public land at some point in the season.
"Rather than get paranoid, they just buy a licence. Everyone hunting needs to hunt under the regulations. Any people hunting their own land will need to look at those to make sure they are sticking to the rules."
And, the reality was, if they were not abiding by the rules they could still get caught, even on private property.
"In terms of ranging, Fish & Game is quite entitled to walk across a farmer's paddock and go check."
Central South Island Fish & Game monitors the area throughout the season, and aims to visit about 60 hunting spots on opening weekend.
The main rule hunters tend to break was hunting without a licence, Mr Adams said.
"Then probably, number two would be possession of lead shot 200m from what's classified as open water."
Mr Adams encouraged hunters to follow the rules — and to have fun.
"Go out, enjoy it, have fun and most importantly, make sure the gun's away before you celebrate with alcohol."
He said the issue was one that had been a problem in the past, but not so much now.
"A lot of guys are pretty good these days. We don't come across any of it any more. We want it to stay that way," he said.
"We don't want to come across people drinking alcohol and using guns. It's not a good look for hunting."
While many hunters counted down the days until duck-shooting season opened, the sport was more about camaraderie and tradition than bagging ducks, he said.
alexia.johnston@alliedpress.co.nz
Central Rural Life
