Wellington Weekly Hunting Report 24th May 2018

More Great Hunting Weather On The Cards

Right: Box of Birds - Hunters returning from a successful outing on Lake Wairarapa this week (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

There's been some excellent hunting on offer over the last week with the weather playing a major part in that. 

Strong winds have evicted ducks from the bigger waterbodies and forced them to find shelter during the evenings.

Hunters who have been there to intercept them have done very well.

The moral is, hunt the bad conditions and you'll get some great shooting.

It so happens that we've got some more awful weather over the next three days - variable strong winds and rain that will keep the birds moving better than any Opening Day hunter turn out.

Get into the action because while the southerly is likely to be bitingly cold, the hunting will be red hot!   

If you haven't already done so, get your licence here. This season is the best we've had in years!

Here are the prospects for the weekend:

Wellington/Wairarapa

Three day rain forecast

For the latest rain forecast click here

Friday, May 25, 9am.	Saturday, May 26, 9am.	Sunday, May 27, 9am

 

Time To Target Paddocks

A pair of mallards feeding on flooded pasture (Photo: Hamish Carnachan) 

Hunters who have been out a lot will have noticed the ducks' feeding behaviour and movement patterns starting to change. 

Certainly with all the rain we've had over the last couple of weeks the ground is inundated and starting to pond in paddocks and flooded lake or river margins.

These areas are a magnet for ducks, provided a rich food source of worms and terrestrial insects at a time when the weather is rapidly cooling and a high calorie intake is exactly what they need for winter survival.

Keep an eye out for flooding and surface water in your travels around the region. Door knocking the landowner and politely asking if you can set up for an evening shoot could well pay dividends.   

Lock Those Guns Away

Hunters are reminder that they are required by law to lock firearms and ammunition safely away when not in use.

Several hunters this season have found out the hard way that it is unacceptable (and totally unsafe) to leave their shotguns lying around unattended, including leaving them in their vehicles. 

They have had their shotguns seized by Police and potentially now face firearms charges.

We again urge all our hunters to be safe and responsible, and that means following the letter of the law when it comes to firearms law and game bird regulations.  

Remember, at the end of the day, lock the guns away!        

Notices

• Eastern Lake Wairarapa Access: The issue around quad access to the eastern shore of Lake Wairarapa has been miscommunicated, and we apologise for any confusion caused. To clarify: DOC has only closed quad access to Boggy Pond, Matthews Lagoon and through the Wairio Wetland at this stage.
• White Swan At Wairio: Ducks Unlimited has released two white swan (which are pinioned) at the Wairio Block, Lake Wairarapa. A reminder to hunters that it is illegal to shoot these birds.       

Hunter Safety

Safe start to season 

Wellington Fish & Game is urging hunters to take utmost care this game bird hunting season. Please refresh yourself with the seven golden rules of firearms safety below: 

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.

​*This report was accurate at time of writing - please ensure you check the latest weather information before you head out.