Newsletter May 2024

14/05/2024

Newsletter May 2024

What a lot has happened since I last emailed you all in February. For starters how good was Opening Weekend?

For some regions hunters were thick on the ground and birds sparse and in others it was the opposite. Across much of the country sunny blue skies and no winds kept the ducks high. Hunters that had done the leg work to find out where the ducks were pre-opening did well. There are many more weeks of great hunting to go this season and day licences have just gone on sale.

I have also been out and about advocating for Fish & Game, hunters and anglers, working to raise our profile and share our ReWild message.

We know New Zealanders love our natural environment and care about protecting it. We want that knowledge to be based on experience, on getting out into the wild and putting the routine of daily life aside for a time.

Fishing and hunting are great for physical and mental wellbeing and are great ways to connect with whānau and friends, to teach children skills, instil a desire to protect the environment and help them learn independence. Women are also increasingly getting out and having a go, and my experience is that it’s liberating. It’s time to yourself, but it also means you can bring back something delicious and healthy for dinner.

Fishing and hunting are a way of life for over 300,000 New Zealanders and part of the fabric of who we are as a country. It's important that we will work together that the freedoms we've enjoyed in the past can be enjoyed in the future.

It's been great to get in front of some groups to share that message. It was a pleasure to participate in a Women on the Fly event in Nelson and in Wellington speak on a Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme panel. I also presented at an event for women fly fishers event in Queenstown hosted by Patagonia and am looking to enjoying a day hunting with children hosted by Tony and Biddy Jefferd in the Hawkes Bay this weekend.

We have been keeping a close eye on the legal action considered by Forest & Bird against the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation. Cases like these can have widespread consequences and we are talking to other hunting and fishing leaders, like the Game Animal Council, about this issue and other challenges our sector faces.

Last month I attended the Fish Futures hui which was held in Wellington which investigates fisheries management and its future. The project is led by the Cawthron Institute which is working with partners across Government and Te Ao Māori. I presented to them about our work and the interest was so strong that an hour's presentation ended up taking up the afternoon.

Another big piece of work was Fish & Game's submission on the Government's Fast Track Bill. In it we focus on our species and habitat requirements. Our submission is here if you would like to read it.

Opening weekend

A great start to the season, see some media coverage here:

Aerial surveys tally ducks as shooting season starts (1news.co.nz)

Duck hunters ready for season | RNZ

Duck shooting season set to begin | RNZ

Connal Harkness (11) and Bodie Dreaver (7) love going hunting with their dads Rob and Andrew at Kaituna Wetland in the Bay of Plenty.

Connal has been hunting since he was six and before him Rob’s daughter used to come.

It was the first time out for Bodie.

Rob said a mate got him into it years ago and he loves hanging out, setting up decoys and duck calling.

“It’s the sport of it, not the killing, having fun doing it.”

Jacob Benseman (13), from Paengaroa, fetching a duck while out hunting with his dad Josh and cousin Caleb Marsh.

The Laughton family from Katikati hunting at Kaituna Wetland: Melissa, Kereama (2-1/2) Jess and Hemi (4-1/2)

The kids were brilliant at duck calling and the family were getting a few birds for the table.

Hunters at Cust, North Canterbury, Rose Barker and Michael Wardle, with their German short haired Pointers Cooper (all brown) and Willow ( the white brown one facing away from the camera).

Otago Fish & Game honorary ranger Leon Watson (left) chats to duck hunter Blair Cown, from Mosgiel, with Cami the Labrador on opening day

Ollie Mitchell displays Dad’s spoonie drake from Opening morning hunting at Lake Wairarapa.

Women on the Fly

An absolute highlight in April was heading down to Nelson where the Nelson/Marlborough team hosted a fantastic event for Women on the Fly which I enjoyed participating in. It's so important women have the opportunity to ask other women for advice and support as they get into fly fishing. As we've seen overseas the "for women by women" approach is effective and it's something we can get in behind.

About 25 women from Nelson, Blenheim, Kaikoura, and Te Anau, came together for the hui, sponsored by the Nelson Trout Fishing Club, and featured Leigh Johnson, the coordinator of Women on the Fly NZ (WoTF).

The majority of the attendees were beginners or novices in fly-fishing, with a few describing themselves as intermediate. The discussions highlighted shared and unique challenges faced by women, such as access to resources, equipment costs, personal safety, and balancing family responsibilities.

The event wrapped up with a commitment to create an online network for women from the Top of the South to connect, find fishing partners, and improve their abilities. This expansion will extend the WoTF community into a new region, offering additional support to more women across New Zealand.

New Zealand has never had high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) and the current risk for HPAI arriving in New Zealand is considered low.

Early detection is key to preventing the spread if it does arrive, so we’re asking hunters to keep an eye out for signs of HPAI in wild birds and to take sensible precautions when handling wild game to protect yourselves from possible infection.

HPAI is a contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild birds. Overseas it has infected many species of ducks, geese, swans, pheasants, shorebirds and gulls as well as scavenging birds such as hawks.

The most obvious sign of HPAI is several sick or dead birds. Sick birds may appear dopey; display lethargy/reluctance to move, droopy head, panting and nasal secretions, lack of co-ordination, blindness and trembling. The symptoms are similar to botulism, a bacterial disease present in New Zealand.

If you see three or more sick or dead birds, call the Biosecurity New Zealand Exotic Pest and Disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Don’t touch or move any dead or dying wildlife, or those in their vicinity that may appear healthy. Wait for Biosecurity New Zealand’s instructions before handling any sick or dead birds.

How to protect yourself and prevent possible spread:

Although avian influenza viruses rarely infect people, you should still maintain good biosecurity and personal hygiene practices to prevent spread and protect yourself:

Don’t harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling or dressing wild birds.
Do not eat, drink or put anything in your mouth while handling or cleaning birds.
Clean your gear and scrub your boots between hunting sites.
Cook birds well.

We want to see a snapshot of your opening weekend – perhaps some wild kai you’ve harvested, or your friends, family and dogs out rewilding themselves!

Submit your pic here https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/.../wild-your-kai-and-win and you’ll be in to win!

We’re picking winners every two weeks who’ll snag a fantastic prize bundle including hunting licences, a signed copy of Untouchable Girls by the Topp Twins, a $50 Hunting & Fishing voucher, and a Fish & Game cookbook

Each entry will also go in the draw to win an amazing prize package from our friends at Cross Hill Geo Domes – The Ultimate Relaxation Secret Sauna and Hot Tub package valued at $1,465! Check out more info here: https://crosshill.co.nz/stay/summer-packages/

This contest runs from May-June. We can’t wait to see all of your #WildKai!

Wheelchair friendly maimai at Kaituna wetland.

Fish & Game is actively trying to provide opportunities for all to go fishing and game bird hunting. So we built a wheelchair friendly maimai.

A perfect location arose with the expansion of the Kaituna wetland (near Te Puke) by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. An old maimai site canal was recontoured and widened, a vehicle maintenance track created alongside, and a flat pad made for the new stand. Perfect for wheelchair access.

A specifically designed maimai was drawn up, a couple of locally known wheelchair users were met onsite to go over access and designs pitfalls, and a plan was hatched to build.

Rotorua businesses were approached and keenly jumped on board to help sponsor the products – thank you greatly Andersen Civil & Drainage, Firth Concrete, Rotorua ITM and Metalcraft Roofing – without your donations this may not have progressed.

Young tradie hunters offered their skills free and undertook the construction – good on ya,lads!

The maimai is purpose built, camo painted and ready for a keen wheelchair hunter to use– with an able-bodied person to partner. The site will be balloted should there be more than one apply.

If you are a wheelchair hunter keen to duck shoot and need a possie for the season, please give us a call or email us at eastern@fishandgame.org.nz.

Seven Sharp did a great yarn if you want to watch click here.

Pictured are tradies who supported the project and gave their time for free.

Biosecurity alert – Invasive freshwater clam

It is a year ago now that the invasive freshwater clam was first detected in the Waikato River, the first time it has been found in New Zealand.

The invasive clam (Corbicula fluminea) reproduces rapidly, creating high densities that crowd out other species, while also outcompeting them by taking all the nutrient and food out of the water. Overseas it blocks water intake pipes, for purposes such as town water, irrigation and power generation.

This nuisance clam is in the area of the Waikato River from the Whakamaru Dam south. There has been only a single new find in months – and that is a population in an isolated man-made aqua park in the Taupo area that has been there for several years, scientists say.

It’s important hunters do our bit to stop the clam and any other invasive - like hornwort, didymo or koi carp - hitching a ride when we move.

Firstly, plan your trips so you are not crossing between lakes and rivers within a couple of days. This is super-important if you’re anywhere in the Waikato River system. Also, plan movements so you go from upstream to downstream areas.

If you’re in the South Island, Check Clean Dry with the dishwashing spray for absorbent materials is still fine. The South Island details are here: https://www.thisisus.nz/check-clean-dry

If your hunting will take you through freshwater anywhere in the North Island, then you need to use the new Check Clean Dry protocol. After the Check for anything visible and a hose-down, then soak absorbent materials in very hot water, or 10% bleach solution for an hour or freeze till solid (usually overnight) – and then dry to touch inside and out and leave for another 2 days to be sure. The details for North Island are here: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/freshwaterclams

For anglers fishing the Lake Taupo tributaries over the next several months during the spawning runs, local fishery managers are asking that you follow the principle: “fish one river a day” as that will enable you to treat your gear overnight before going to another river or stream.

This may mean checking there’s clear water at your chosen river before casting, in case you need to move.

Keep your eyes out for the clam, too, in case it has spread. If you see anything suspicious, take photos and note the location, then call Biosecurity NZ on 0800 80 99 66.

Wild at heart and wild about food

Wild food enthusiasts Phil Spahn and Cheska Hawksford who run the The Wild Table youtube and Insta channels had a successful day.

The couple use every part of the food and share their passion and advice about hunting and cooking on their social media channels. Follow them on Insta or youtube for great recipes and how to information.