Hawke's Bay Both Barrels April 2018

Fish & Game advice - seek out maize paddocks, flooded fields

Reports from the field indicate that we had a good waterfowl breeding season and hope that this will translate into a successful opening weekend.

With recent rains, there are a lot of ponds and wetlands filled and the ducks are more dispersed than usual at this time of year.

But with some scouting, a duck hunter should be able to locate several good hunting locations throughout the Hawke's Bay Region.

Hunters focusing on traditional areas may not be as successful as those who are more mobile and shoot open paddocks.

Farms are still harvesting maize and the ducks have been flocking into these fields.

Also, large number of ducks have been seen in flooded paddocks.

Waterfowl hunters with layout blinds and shooting these areas will have a great Opening Weekend.

Despite recent localised flooding, Hawke's Bay rivers will still provide some good shooting on Opening Weekend.

Despite feeding in harvested maize fields, ducks still congregate in back pools along the river.

Those waterfowl hunters who spend time to identify these sites should have a good Opening Weekend.

River hunting provides some great opportunities for those willing to do a little extra work to identify areas that the ducks are using.

Hawke's Bay Fish & Game staff wish all game bird hunters a safe and successful opening weekend.

Please save the alcohol for after your duck hunting.

If you are visited by any of our rangers, please be courteous and remember they patrol on Opening Weekend for your safety and to make sure that nobody's flouting the laws.

HB-BB April 2018A "Another successful retrieve"

Thumbs up for duck hunters education day

On April 15, Hawke's Bay Fish & Game held their first Duck Hunter’s Day to provide duck hunters with an opportunity to improve their duck hunting skills.

Hunters who attended were provided with information on shotgun patterning, decoy layouts, duck calling demonstrations, and tips and tricks to improve their chances of bagging a duck.

Experienced and novice hunters alike came away pleased, with information to improve their duck hunting skills.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Duck Hunters Day on February 23, 2019.

We look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s event. We will also be holding a Shotgun Patterning Day on March 30, 2019, for those who want to pattern their shotgun before the next duck season.

HB-BB April 2018B "Those attending the Duck Hunters Day learned how to improve key skills.

Time to think about habitat planting

As you sit in your maimai waiting for ducks to arrive, it’s a good time to look around and plan your habitat planting.

Fish & Game have several informative pamphlets that will get you started, but it’s good to have a talk to our staff as they can provide you with a list of species that will be appropriate for your location.

HB-BB April 2018C "Good time for planting"

Here’s wishing you safe and happy hunting!

- Hawke’s Bay Fish & Game staff

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