"Because duck shooting wasn't as good last year, I think people are holding ammo over. We had a lot of rain leading up to duck season last year, and then opening day was extremely fine.
"So what you want is a rainy, windy day so the ducks are lower down [to the ground]," he said.
He was backed up by the store's duck shooting expert, retail assistant Finn Bland.
"We had too much water last year. Most shooters around here shoot ponds. If you get too much water, the ducks bugger off to the paddocks where they are pretty safe."
He said on opening day, most shooters would have been at one spot — Lake Whatuma.
"Most people shoot the lake — but basically they're everywhere."
Fish & Game
Along with ensuring shooters have a game bird licence — which can be bought online via their website — Fish & Game is urging hunters to follow safe firearm practices and comply with the regulations during the season.
There had been one major change this season, said Hawke's Bay's senior Fish & Game officer Nathan Burkepile, with shooting times altered to start at 6.30am and end at 6pm.
"This was over concern about being able to properly identify [targets] during low light conditions."
Last year, Fish & Game had checked 100 Hawke's Bay duck shooters by June and brought cases against five of them — three allegedly caught hunting without a game bird licence who had their shotguns seized, one hunter who admitted using a .22 air rifle to scare game birds up off the water and another who admitted killing a native pied stilt.
Burkepile warned Fish & Game rangers would be patrolling right throughout the season.
"We also like to remind duck hunters to save the alcohol for after the hunting is done and the guns are put away. It is important that if duck hunters are using boats, that they wear proper life jackets at all times when in the boat.
Please do not overload your boat with decoys, dogs and gear. If necessary make an extra trip."
