Both Barrels June 2024 - West Coast

June brings great hunting opportunities

Picture Above: Alex Stewart making use of windy conditions to target birds on large water.

After a stable May, June’s weather has certainly been far better for getting game birds moving. Heavy rain and wind both get the birds moving and looking for feeding opportunities. As a hunter, you want birds in the air moving, this providing opportunities for you to entice them into your spread. As the shortest day fast approaches and the cold sets in, birds will mob up. This especially the case with Paradise Shelduck during frosty periods, often numbers building on paddocks of new grass. Scouting becomes even more vital when birds congregate, as being off the mark can result in quite mornings but quite also fantastic ones if your preparation is done. The good hunting is far from over, with great decoying action often observed in July. As we approach the end of the season birds will start to pair off. This will often leave lone drakes; they are perfect bird to take if your being selective about your harvest, leaving breeding pairs to do their thing.

Picture Above: Shawn Nolan having a successful morning shooting over mazie stubble/new grass.

Keep an eye out for Parrot’s feather this duck season

A new parrot’s feather site on the West Coast was discovered this year, and the Regional Council are asking duck hunters to report in sightings of this weed. Parrot’s feather, which comes from South America and has been used as an ornamental for fishponds, is a serious threat to drainage systems, and to our natural environment, including game bird habitat.

Picture Above: A drain infested with parrots feather. This was previously open water.

Parrot’s feather can quickly cover open water in ponds, swamps, and slow-moving creeks, which will alter the drainage and reduce the number of game birds using the water. If you have this weed in your duck pond, WCRC will control it, free of charge, in order to protect surrounding waterways. WCRC’s goal with this species is to eradicate it from the Westland and Grey districts, and to contain it to where it currently exists in the Buller.

Picture Above: Parrots feather stem.

Biosecurity officers at the Regional Council are always available to help identify exotic plants and offer advice and help controlling them.

And as always, a reminder to check, clean and dry your gear when moving between waterways and hunting spots. Any plant material attempting to hitch a ride on your gumboots, equipment or vehicles should be left where it came from.

Organised Hunts

We have now completed two of our three organised hunts for the year, and they are going well.

Hunters have braved strong winds and rain but many have been rewarded with heavy bags and great social outings.

The last events to occur are the Karamea game bird hunting weekend.

If you are not on the keen hunter's list but are interested in the events email bkersten@fishandgame.org.nz

As you’ll see below, we are promoting the Shortest Weekend Duck Hunt.

The 22nd and 23^rd of June is the weekend Fish and Game are encouraging all hunters to get out hunting game birds again.

Each year, at hunters' request, Fish and Game promote a weekend to get hunters out in force and keep birds in circulation.

A second opening weekend in essence.

Birds will have settled well since the opening day in May, and it may be worth checking your regular spots for large concentrations of birds.

With day licences available, it might also be a great chance to introduce someone new to the sport.

Event	Date	Location
Pukeko Drive	2nd June 2024	Fairdown, Westport
Pukeko Drive	16th June 2024	Birchfield, Westport
Shortest Weekend Duck Hunt	22nd & 23rd June 2024	Everywhere
Game Bird Hunting Trip	6th & 7th July 2024	Karamea
Closing Weekend	27th & 28th July 2024	Everywhere
Opening of Summer Pukeko Season	1st January 2025	Everywhere
Opening of Summer Paradise Shelduck & Swan Season	22nd February 2025	Locations 200m or more from open water for Paradise Shelduck
Closing of Summer Seasons	16th March 2025	Everywhere

Picture Above: The Birchfield pukeko drive 2024.

The event and important dates calendar can be found below.

Hope to see you out there.

 

Baylee Kersten, West Coast Fish & Game Officer