Plenty Birds - if Hunters have Skills, says Fish & Game

Eastern Region Fish & Game says there are plenty of game birds around for the start of the hunting season this weekend – if the weather plays its part.

The season opens on Saturday (May 7) and Eastern Region takes in areas including the East Coast, Tauranga, Taupo, the Rangitaiki Plains, and Rotorua lakes district.

“The prospects are good but as usual, success will depend on other factors including a hunter’s skills and the weather,” says Fish & Game Officer John Meikle.

“There’s been so much rain around that birds may be quite widely scattered with a number found in flooded paddocks, ” which means that hunters may find fewer birds flying into ponds.

“Instead of sitting in a maimai, hunters need to be prepared to shift their position to say, beside a paddock under camouflage netting. It’s a matter of relocating your hunting opportunities for the weekend.”

Pheasant and quail populations remain healthy with the Eastern Region providing some of the best upland game bird hunting in the country.

But John Meikle points out that success on the day can’t be measured by the number of birds which are bagged. He says the opening is as much about “having fun with your mates and kids and enjoying the excitement of the day, and taking part in a Kiwi tradition.”

“The traditional opening is as much about being with family and friends in the maimais, as bagging a few ducks.”

He's appealing to hunters who harvest any birds with bands to contact Fish & Game. “Please phone us with details of the bird, its band number and where it was taken.”

Another key message to hunters turning out for the opening is that hunting and alcohol don’t mix, says John - so please leave your alcohol at home. “Clean your birds and then have a drink – it’s far safer and more enjoyable approach to the game bird season.”

Rangers will be out in force over the weekend in joint patrols with honorary rangers. Hunters can expect to have their licences checked, and if they’re found with lead shot – now banned within 200 metres of open water – it will be seized and prosecution will follow.

Also, hunting without a licence is simply not worth the risk given substantial
fines and the loss of your firearm, he adds.

John Meikle is also reminding hunters that there is no need to try and pack everything into one weekend, especially if the weather isn’t favourable. There are plenty of hunting opportunities throughout the season to take advantage of good bird populations, he says.

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Basic Rules for Safe Firearm Handling

1. Treat every firearm as loaded

Check every firearm yourself and pass or accept only an open or unloaded firearm.

2. Always point firearms in a safe direction

Loaded or unloaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction.

3. Load a firearm only when ready to fire

Load the magazine only after you reach your shooting area. Load the chamber only when ready to shoot. Completely unload before leaving the shooting area.

4. Identify your target beyond all doubt

Movement, colour, sound and shape can all deceive you. Assume colour, shape, sound, and shape to be human until proven otherwise

5. Check your firing zone

Think! What may happen if you miss your target? What might you hit between you and the target or beyond? Do not fire when you know others are in your firing zone

6. Store firearms and ammunition safely

When not in use, lock away the bolt, firearm and ammunition separately. And never leave firearms in a vehicle that is unattended

7. Avoid alcohol and drugs when handling firearms

Good judgement is the key to safe use of firearms.

Source: New Zealand Mountain Safety Council

More information about firearms and outdoor safety can be found on the Council website: www.mountainsafety.org.nz.