Wellington Game Bird Hunting Bulletin - 3rd June 2021

'Second Opening' This Long Weekend     

June 3, 2021

The long weekend ahead should see a good turnout of hunters (Photo: Hamish Carnachan)

Queen's Birthday this weekend is being heralded by many duck hunters in the lower North Island as the “second opening” of the season and should result in a big turn-out.

The more guns the merrier too, as it will give ducks that have settled into isolated ponds and backwaters a hurry-up and get them moving around again. 

While the season started a bit slowly due to fine weather, there are still plenty of birds and those who have got out when the weather has been wild have had some excellent shooting.

The forecast brisk winds from the north and rain for the latter half of Queen's Birthday should also make for favourable hunting for those that get out this weekend.

Now that we’re midway through the two-month season, and the hype around Opening is behind us, why not use the opportunity this long weekend to introduce new participants to the pursuit?

No matter where you hunt or who you are with, teams of rangers will be out in force in the Wellington Fish & Game region this long weekend so make sure you have you game bird hunting licence with you. 

Here's the outlook for the weekend... 

Weather Outlook

Click here for updated weather information from MetService.

We seem to be stuck in a pattern with another moisture-laden low pressure system forming in the Tasman Sea and moving towards the North Island, very similar to this time last week.  

This is going to bring northerlies for Friday and winds building as the weekend progresses. Forecasters are also predicting showers as early as Saturday, possibly turning to rain as we head into Sunday and Monday.

Make sure you keep up to date with the latest forecast as the second part of the long weekend is likely to bring the weather most conducive for hunting ducks.     

Tips For Taking Newbies Hunting 

Short hunts and plenty of snacks will keep the kids interested in the hunting and happy (Photo: Zane Moss)  

Starting out from scratch in the pursuit of duck hunting can be a really daunting prospect for newcomers, especially if they don’t have anyone to show them the ropes... it can lead to lots of wasted time and effort

Lack of success through lack of knowledge is the biggest cause of people giving up on a pursuit they’ve just started – any pursuit – not just duck hunting. So it rings true, the old saying, it takes a hunter, to make a hunter.

We'd like to see more waterfowl hunters out there -- it moves birds around and gives us, as a recreational user group, a stronger voice against the folk who would like to curtail our pursuit.

Now that we're half-way through the season, the hype of Opening is beyond us, and we've got a long weekend ahead that should see plenty of shooters out, it's a great time to introduce someone new a taste of duck hunting.

Friend or spouse, sibling or a child, it makes no difference. Just investing a few hours to teach them how to hunt could be the best investment you can make for the future of waterfowl hunting in this region, and our country. 

While adults are generally more patient, following are some tips for taking the kids hunting which may help keep them engaged. 

- Pack a few favourite chocolate bars or biscuits and pull them out when the kids start showing signs of getting restless or bored.

- Make a cup of Milo because everyone knows there’s nothing surer to get the birds decoying in than having your hands occupied with a Thermos or a mug.

- Pack some cards or a book for them to read.

- I’ve often let the kids take their BB gun out so they can practice target shooting (it’s quiet enough not to disturb any ducks); you can set up competitions and it really helps wile away the downtime… just don’t let them target your good fully-flocked decoys!

- The time-honoured tradition of Eye Spy works for younger kids and, at least, everyone’s looking out or up.

- Finally, if it’s a deal breaker between the kids coming hunting or staying at home, allow some form of technology in the maimai. The fact of the matter is, when the birds start coming in and the gun is going off they quickly lose interest in gaming.

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)359-0409.

- By Wellington Fish & Game field officer Hamish Carnachan.       

Duck Calling Tips

Need some help with your duck calling? Click on the screenshot below to get some top tips from the boys at Manawatu Hunting and Fishing. 

Noticeboard

- Pheasant hunting:

If you're interested in exploring upland game bird hunting opportunities in the Wellington Fish & Game region, please call us on (06)3590409 for info. 

- Band Returns:

Harvested ducks wearing precious metal bands? Please get the info into us and play your part in the long term management of mallard population. You can keep the band, we just need some details from you. Fill in your band return info here.        

From the Team at Wellington Fish & Game, happy hunting and please stay safe this season.