The first Saturday of May marks the start of the game bird season.
Many hunters will have spent hours preparing maimais, touching up decoys, and practicing calling, to enjoy the great social hunting occasion we know as ‘opening weekend’.
Although May is the start of the game bird season, Fish and Game New Zealand can assist landowners with bird control at any time of the year
“Gamebirds such as mallards and paradise ducks are highly valued by hunters, though at times can cause issues for farmers, especially over summer after the moult when large groups can congregate on emerging crops and grass,” Fish and Game officer Jacob Lucas says.
Pukeko are one bird that will be targeted as they thrive in the Tasman and Golden Bay regions, and regularly cause issues to crop and orchards.
They are smart birds, fairly territorial, and can be challenging to manage in certain areas.
“When issues arise with birds, we can help by providing immediate permits for bird control and can supply hunters if required. We also have several bird scarers available to loan which are an effective means to move birds off crop,” Jacob says.
“The key is to get in touch with us as soon as the birds turn up, the earlier this is done the better the outcome for your valued pasture or crop.”
Keen game bird hunter Cam Reid has enjoyed ‘opening weekend’ for more than three decades.
“I enjoy it all, the sport itself, harvesting meals, the comradery with mates, and helping farmers to control bird numbers,” Cam says.
Cam’s dad was into fly fishing, not hunting, but luckily as a youngster, Cam had a best mate whose father was a hunter and game bird shooter who took them on all kinds of adventures.
“Me and my mate grew up fly fishing with my dad and then hunting with his dad which worked out well,” Cam says.
Now with three daughters of his own, Cam says it’s been fantastic to share the pursuit with his daughters, particularly Caitlin, who is now a very capable hunter.
“This opening weekend we will have a young guy with us in the maimai, which will be great. It’s really important we encourage the next generation to come along and give opportunities to be involved.”
Cam understands the problems ducks can cause to farmers such as eating pasture seed and causing extensive damage to crop and grass, so for him, he says it’s good to be able to help with population management.
Jacob says that game bird licences and up-to-date information for Nelson/Marlborough can be found online here.
“If you are unsure about anything, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Fish and Game, we are more than happy to provide advice where we can, to get the best outcome for everyone.”
