Wellington Weekly Hunting Report 31st May 2018

Queen's Birthday A Gift For Hunters

Right: A bird in the hand - A successful jump shoot on a farm dam, where many mallards are now seeking refuge (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

What a bonus - an extra day to go hunting this weekend and Monday looks like the best of the lot weather-wise.  

There's an active front bearing down on the country with forecast wind shifts and rain that will keep birds moving.

The hunting has apparently slowed in the high country up around Taihape and surrounds, possibly because the birds have dispersed and found quiet areas that aren't being shot. This is the time when active hunting - like jump shooting farm dams - comes into its own. Cover some ground and you'll reap the rewards.    

Meanwhile, hunters hitting flooded pasture in Manawatu, as well as those targeting inundated lake margins in Wairarapa, have been having a field day! With the strong and variable winds, and plenty of rain, conditions have been absolutely superb for waterfowling with experienced shooters limiting out early some blustery evenings.

This long weekend promises more mixed up weather, and Monday looks the best for hunting ducks, so make the most of the extra day and get into them.    

Get your licence here.

Here are the prospects for the weekend:

Wellington/Wairarapa

Three day rain forecast

For the latest rain forecast click here

Friday, June 1, 6am.	Saturday, June 2, 6am.	Sunday, June 3, 6am

 

It All Comes Down To The Decoys

Think smarter about your decoy set to dupe increasingly wary mallards (Photo: Hamish Carnachan) 

We're almost halfway through the main waterfowl season for the Wellington Fish & Game region and that means one thing - wary ducks.

The local mallard population have seen all manner of maimais, decoys and mayhem, and they're now subsequently very, very skittery.

It means upping your game when it comes to disguising your shooting position, but also reconfiguring and thinking smarter about how you set your decoys.

Mallard behaviour changes markedly as the season wears on, so employing different, and ultimately natural, decoy set-ups becomes critical to success.

Ducks Unlimited in the United States have got some superb info on this (which remains relevant to our hunting conditions) for all manner of scenarios. So, read up and you'll vastly improve your hunting at a time when others are doing it tough.

Check it out here.       

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.