Wellington Weekly Hunting Report – May 4 2017

Excitement Building!

Image right: Not too long before it's all on (Credit Hamish Carnachan.jpg)

Only a few days out from Opening, there’s certainly much more of a buzz around ahead of the new season this time around.

And it’s easy to understand why that’s the case: simply put, there are way more ducks about – more than we’ve observed for years.

Indeed, only this morning ranging teams were about in the normally dry northern Wairarapa region running pre-season compliance checks and reconnaissance and there were ducks everywhere, on almost every pond we checked.

Like the entire lower North Island, this is likely due to there being so much water around and the very favourable breeding season which saw hens rear multiple clutches through to fledging.

So, if you thought you’d give skip hunting this year based on a couple of average years, don’t be crazy or you’ll miss out!
Get your licence here and get into what promises to be one of the best seasons for years.

Here are the prospects for Opening Weekend:

Wellington/Wairarapa

Saturday		Mainly fine skies but strong south and south-west winds for the morning easing later. Perfect for moving the birds and around.
Sunday		Mainly fine day with light winds. Should still be plenty of hunters about to move the birds around for an early morning and evening
Monday		Strong nor-westerly developing throughout the day.

Manawatu

Saturday		A fine and frosty start but there’ll be plenty of hunters around to keep the ducks on the wing throughout the day.
Sunday		Fine and frosty first thing. Should still be a solid morning and evening shoot with loads of ducks around this part of the region.
Monday		Strong nor-westerly developing.

Rangitikei

Saturday		Fine and frosty start to the season but there are plenty of hunters in the area to push birds around.
Sunday		Mainly fine day with light winds. Should still be plenty of shooting to keep the ducks on the wing early and again in the evening.
Monday		Mainly fine with light winds.

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Three day rain forecast

For the latest rain forecast click here

Saturday 6th May	Sunday 7th May	Monday 8th May

Make the most of this season

Don’t pack your gear away after Opening Weekend.

In recent seasons the best hunting has occurred weeks after what many consider the “main event” – the first Saturday and Sunday in May.

Wait and watch for the weather fronts to arrive and time you trip to your preferred hunting ground and you’ll get some exceptional hunting.

Hunting over the course of Wellington Fish & Game’s generous eight-week season means you’re really getting even better value for money from your licence purchase.

No compromise on Firearms Safety this season!

There should be no compromise on safety. Follow the seven basic firearms rules and you and your hunting party should stay safe.

1. TREAT EVERY FIREARM AS LOADED
- Check every firearm yourself.
- 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 hunting area.
- Load the chamber only when ready to shoot.
- Completely unload before leaving the hunting 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 if 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.
- 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.