Wellington Weekly Hunting Report – June 15 2017

Time to target upland game

Image right: Max retrieves a swan on a blustery Lake Wairarapa hunt this week - several mallard were also taken during the successful evening shoot (Credit: Hamish Carnachan). 

Fine weather may slow the hunting up but it doesn't mean there aren't opportunities to stretch the legs and give the dog a run over the weekend.

And the weather forecast has been changing markedly over the last 48 hours so it's not to say good waterfowling conditions couldn't swing our way.  

Watch the weather closely, particularly the forecast building winds on Sunday for the southern part of the region.

In the meantime, there are ample pukeko around that provide good wing shooting practice when flushed and they actually taste good when prepared properly - check out American writer and chef Hank Shaw's recipe here.

And fine weather also means a good opportunity to chase upland game. Find out more about the opportunities for pheasant and quail hunting in the Wellington Fish & Game region here.  

Prospects for this weekend:

Wellington/Wairarapa

Friday		Cloudy. Southerly dies away in the afternoon.
Saturday		Some morning cloud. Otherwise fine with light winds.
Sunday		Mainly fine. Northerlies developing.

Manawatu

Friday		Isolated showers then fine spells. Westerly dying out.
Saturday		Possible coastal showers but fine elsewhere. Light winds.
Sunday		Mainly fine with light winds.

Rangitikei

Friday		Isolated showers becoming fine in the afternoon. Westerly dies out.
Saturday		Areas of cloud but otherwise fine.
Sunday		Mainly fine and light winds.

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Three day rain forecast

For the latest rain forecast click here

Friday, June 16	Saturday, June 17	Sunday, June 18

Upland game opportunities

There is some great upland game hunting on public land in the Wellington Fish & Game region (Credit: Dave Little)

Wellington Fish & Game has established a booking system for hunting upland game in private forestry blocks in western Manawatu.

We've also been working to diversify game bird hunting opportunities on public land.

Wellington Fish & Game has liaised with the local game preserves to relocate hundreds of robust cock pheasant, which are rounded up at the end of the game season to be released on land accessible by the public.

This project helps supplement the local population without causing any issues of ‘dilution’ of the gene pool, but provides an additional opportunity for hunters that put the effort in.

If you’re hunting pheasant in the Waitarere or Santoft forests, or along the riverbeds of the lower Rangitikei River, or some Wairarapa rivers, keep an eye out for birds carrying metal bands. If we get plenty of returns of information to infer success, it will justify spending time and effort continuing with this exercise.

To find out more about upland game hunting, check out the website or contact the officer - 063590409

Give it a shot!       

Safety Comes First

Opening Weekend is behind us but there's plenty of duck hunting ahead over the season - firearms safety still comes foremost

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.