Wellington Weekly Hunting Report - 9 May 2019

Great Hunting Weather On The Cards!

Right: Young lab Ash retrieves a fat Wairarapa mallard drake on Opening morning 2019 (Photo Hamish Carnachan).

With the excitement and social aspect of Opening now behind us, the real hunting begins.

Opening weekend was pretty slow on account of the settled weather, though a blow on Saturday evening and Sunday morning resulted in birds for those who stuck it out. 

Things are certainly going to be stirred up this weekend with strong shifting winds preceding a major weather system hitting on Sunday morning. 

Make no mistake, if the forecast holds true the ducks will be forced to move around. 

Change Mother's Day to Saturday if you have to or, better yet, take mum and the whole family out on Sunday because there'll be some fine shooting to celebrate! 

Rangers will be around throughout the season so please ensure you have your licence and are familiar with the regs.

And don't try to sneak any lead shot into your hunting or, like a number of hunters caught over Opening Weekend, you'll have your gear confiscated. 

Be safe and enjoy what should be a great weekend for waterfowl hunting!   

Here are the prospects:

Wellington/Wairarapa

Friday		Scattered rain. Northwesterly easing later.
Saturday		Low cloud and fog in the morning. Moderate northerly. winds.
Sunday		Heavy rain and strong northerlies rising to gale in some places.

Manawatu

Friday		Rain slowly easing. Northwesterly winds.
Saturday		Showers early and late with northwesterlies.
Sunday		Rain with a northerly turning strong westerly.

Rangitikei

Friday		Rain gradually clearing and wind tends nor-west.
Saturday		Light winds turning northerly later.
Sunday		Rain with a strong northerly tending westerly later.

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Three day rain forecast

For the latest rain forecast click here

Friday, May 10, 9am.	Saturday, May 11, 9am	Sunday, May 5, 9am

Take a Newbie Hunting

Given the opportunity, kids will leap at the chance to go hunting with mum or dad (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Most hunters will know that it takes a hunter to make a hunter.

Trying to start out in the often mystifying world of waterfowling without any guidance or support would be a daunting prospect.

Why not make this season the one that you introduce a friend, partner or family member to the awesome pursuit of duck hunting?  

Now that Opening is behind us, and with weeks of hunting ahead, it's a great time to take someone new out without the pressure and sometimes chaotic times that surround the first Saturday and Sunday of the season. 

Just a few hours sitting in a maimai on an evening shoot, jump-shooting a river or creek, or huddling around makeshift cover on open water with a handful of decoys out is all it takes to give a newbie a taste of this wonderful pastime.  

Remember, the future of our pursuit relies on a large number of hunters to provide a strong voice to safeguard it from those who want it banned.You can directly play a part in this important recruitment process.    

Fish & Game has information and advice on how to start out new participants, and we can even point you in the direction of somewhere safe to take them with a good chance of bagging a bird or two. For more info, contact the office 06-3590409. 

Changes to Firearms Law

Is your shotgun legal after recent changes to firearms law?

Check out the advice on the NZ Police website 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.