Summer hunting for paradise shelduck on offer

For Taranaki game bird hunters who can't wait for the traditional May start of the hunting season to come around, Fish & Game is all set to lay on some summer hunting opportunities.

Fish & Game has declared a special hunting season for paradise shelduck over three weekends, including Taranaki Anniversary weekend, to help farmers disperse flocks that can damage pastures and crops and provide free-range food for the table.

The first weekend is Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 February, followed by March 4 and 5 and then March 11, 12 & 13 in the Taranaki Game Management Area 'C' only. 

This area includes the Taranaki province north of the Waitotara River and all of the Stratford District. 

Hunting hours on each of the seven days will be from 6.30 am until 8 pm. The daily bag limit has been set at 10 parries per hunter.

Fish & Game Acting Manager Allen Stancliff says the aim is to disperse the ducks, moving them back to their home territories after they've gathered for their annual moult.

"This reduces the potential for mobs to cause damage to chicory crops, recovering hay paddocks and areas of new grass before the main game bird hunting season gets underway in May."

Hunters who want to participate in the special season must hold a 2022 game bird hunting licence and obtain a $5 permit from Fish & Game or a local game bird licence agent.

The permit is free to land occupiers who want to hunt their own land, but they still need to hold a permit.

Hunters who didn't purchase a 2022 game licence can still participate in the special season by purchasing day licences online at www.fishandgame.org.nz

Mr Stancliff adds that the special season applies to paradise shelduck only, and all other game birds remain protected; they cannot be hunted. Fish & Game Rangers will be out checking on compliance over the seven days.

"This is a great opportunity for some enjoyable summer hunting that helps our farmers – we ask that hunters stick to the rules, including that there is no hunting within 200m of any urban sewage oxidation pond."

"Also, please remember that hunters need permission to hunt on private land – don't forget to ask the landowner."