Wellington Weekly Hunting Report - 16 May 2019

Wild Weather Brings Great Hunting

Right: A brace of mallards from a quick shoot in wild weather on Lake Wairarapa (Credit: Hamish Carnachan).

The wild and windy weather over the past week has seen the hunting improve markedly.

Those who have been lucky enough to get out when the winds ripped through the lower North Island have had great shooting with many bags easily taken in conditions that clearly favour the hunter over increasingly wary mallards.

While reports are mixed for the Manawatu region and high country around Taihape, hunters spoken to on Lake Wairarapa this week have had a ball in atrocious weather with winds bringing trees down and lifting the lake level into surrounding paddocks.

The ducks have been on the wing periodically throughout the day and those that have ridden out the gale on the big water have been forced in early to look for sheltered ponds on the edge. This has provided great evening shoots!

The weather looks great for hunting this weekend too. Strong winds are forecast throughout the Wellington Fish & Game region. The shifting nature of the blows at the moment will also help keep the birds moving around looking for shelter.

Grab you licence if you’ve been slow on the uptake because the hunting is superb this season. Be sure to get out this weekend because ducks will be on the wing! Get into it.

Here are the prospects:

Wellington/Wairarapa

Friday		Fresh southerlies ease and turn northerly.
Saturday		Northwesterlies possibly rising to gale.
Sunday		Cloud increasing. Northwesterlies swing to southwest.

Manawatu

Friday		Fine with easing southwesterlies.
Saturday		Showers with northwesterlies strengthening.
Sunday		Showers with strong westerlies tending southerly.

Rangitikei

Friday		Rain and showers ease; southerly easing in the evening.
Saturday		A few showers and westerlies.
Sunday		Showers clearing towards evening; southwesterlies.

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Three day rain forecast

For the latest rain forecast click here

Friday, May 17, 9am.	Saturday, May 18, 9am	Sunday, May 19, 9am

Entry to JK Donald Block

Just a reminder to hunters that you must have a current vehicle sticker and Lake Wairarapa Hunting Permit to access the JK Donald - both are available from Wellington Fish & Game's office by calling (06)359-0409. 

You must also obtain the landowners permission. We can provide contact details when you apply for your sticker and permit. 

Please respect the landowners property; crossing private land to the Donald block is a privilege. You are also passing through a working farm so ensure you leave all gates as you find them. 

Following some complaints about itinerant hunters turning up over Opening Weekend the ranger presence this season will be more vigilant and we also have hidden security cameras on site top catch trespassers.    

Take a Newbie Hunting

Given the opportunity, kids will leap at the chance to go hunting with mum or dad (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Most hunters will know that it takes a hunter to make a hunter.

Trying to start out in the often mystifying world of waterfowling without any guidance or support would be a daunting prospect.

Why not make this season the one that you introduce a friend, partner or family member to the awesome pursuit of duck hunting?  

Now that Opening is behind us, and with weeks of hunting ahead, it's a great time to take someone new out without the pressure and sometimes chaotic times that surround the first Saturday and Sunday of the season. 

Just a few hours sitting in a maimai on an evening shoot, jump-shooting a river or creek, or huddling around makeshift cover on open water with a handful of decoys out is all it takes to give a newbie a taste of this wonderful pastime.  

Remember, the future of our pursuit relies on a large number of hunters to provide a strong voice to safeguard it from those who want it banned.You can directly play a part in this important recruitment process.    

Fish & Game has information and advice on how to start out new participants, and we can even point you in the direction of somewhere safe to take them with a good chance of bagging a bird or two. For more info, contact the office 06-3590409. 

Changes to Firearms Law

Is your shotgun legal after recent changes to firearms law?

Check out the advice on the NZ Police website here. 

Hunter Safety

Safe start to season 

Wellington Fish & Game is urging hunters to take utmost care this game bird hunting season. Please refresh yourself with the seven golden rules of firearms safety below: 

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.

*This report was accurate at time of writing - please ensure you check the latest weather information before you head out.