Signs look good for duckshooting
Strong numbers of ducks should ensure the 2018 season provides plenty of great hunting in the Taranaki region. The key for hunters is to actively look for and follow up on opportunities, rather than just visiting the same pond each trip.
Mallard and grey duck had another good breeding season thanks to a wet winter and early spring. There was also good survival of young birds over the summer, as most were already fledged (flying) and able to move to find food by the time drought arrived in coastal south Taranaki and Whanganui.
Paradise numbers are down, but will still provide good hunting
While it was a wet start, the dry conditions that prevailed over late spring and summer through coastal Whanganui should have favoured pheasant survival in this key upland game area, and anecdotal reports to date certainly support this. Access permits to hunt pheasant and quail in Harakeke Forest just south of Whanganui and also Nukumaru Recreation Reserve at Waitotara are available from the Whanganui Office of Fish & Game. These are popular and productive areas for pheasant, but holding a current permit is a condition of entry. The permits do not grant exclusive use and hunters are reminded to practice safe gun handling and respect the rights of other users.
While common practice in other regions, this opening weekend will be the first time in Taranaki that the NZ Police will accompany rangers.
As usual, Fish & Game will be undertaking licence and gamebird regulation checks, Fish & Game while the police will be checking that firearms users are either licenced or under immediate supervision of a firearms licence holder. Police will also be checking on the responsible use of alcohol and they have highlighted the importance of having a sober driver.