Wellington Weekly Hunting Report 7th June 2018

A Season of Superb Waterfowling Weather

Right: Set up in a Lake Wairarapa maimai ahead of a southerly front rolling in (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

It's been a sublime season in terms of the conditions for favourable duck hunting - Frequent gale nor-westers, followed by gale southerlies, have kept the birds almost continually on the move.

Well, the long run is over (temporarily) with fine weather forecast this weekend. Don't despair though, it looks like conditions will be ideal for chasing upland game (see below) with sunny skies and warmer temps - perfect for getting out and stretching your legs in the hills or forests.

Meanwhile, watch for a major wind shift later on Sunday when it's supposed to swing from nor-west through to southerly. This will lift the ducks off the water again and get them looking for shelter.

Following on from our tip about smarter decoy sets last week, consider throwing out just a pair from now on, even under cover like a willow, and use calling rather than visual cues to get wary mallards in close.

Also, keep your eye out for recently harvested maize or flooded pasture. With the cooler temps of the last few weeks ducks - mallards and parries - are looking for high-energy food sources and stubble paddocks and soaked ground provides that in the form of corn kernels and worms.

Hunt smarter as the season progresses and you'll reap the rewards. Happy hunting.   

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Here are the prospects for the weekend:

Wellington/Wairarapa

Friday		Showers with southerly dying out.
Saturday		Mainly fine; nor-westerly developing.
Sunday		Cloudy with nor-wester dying out; wind change possible.

Manawatu

Friday		Isolated showers then fine.
Saturday		Cloud increasing and nor-westerly developing.
Sunday		Cloudy with winds dying away.

Rangitikei

Friday		Isolated showers with southerly dying out.
Saturday		Mainly fine; frosty with light winds.
Sunday		Cloudy with light winds.

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Three day rain forecast

For the latest rain forecast click here

Friday, June 8, 6am.	Saturday, June 9, 6am.	Sunday, June 10, 6am

A Weekend For Chasing Upland Game

Wellington Fish & Game region has quality and growing upland game bird hunting resource (Photo: Dave Little) 

It's a great weekend weather-wise for chasing upland game. Pheasant hunting in the Wellington Fish & Game region is on the up with more birds around and more opportunities for our hunters.

The upland game birds – including California quail – have benefitted from several favourable breeding seasons and dry summers. However, much comes down to the work staff have put into supplementing the healthy wild populations too.

Several hundred birds have been released at select sites throughout the lower North Island.

Many areas in our region offer good upland game bird hunting opportunities. Do a little research into the birds’ habitat requirements (hint: we release them into favourable areas so they have the best chance of breeding and surviving) and you’ll likely find some.

If you do happen across some wild populations on public land, please ensure that you are legally entitled to hunt them. And it always pays to alert neighbouring landowners of your intentions.

Hunting opportunities also exist in some of the private forests along the west coast – Wellington Fish & Game works to maintain and manage ongoing hunter access. So, if you keen on giving upland game a shot this weekend or later season, get in touch with the office by phone (063590409) or email.              

Check it out 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.