Opening Weekend's ducks are set in order
With the much-anticipated Duck Hunting season fast approaching, both the Ministry for Primary Industries (MSC) and Fish & Game NZ are encouraging hunters to prepare for a safe and successful season.
According to recent statistics, the number of firearms shooting incidents has shown a significant decrease, with an average of 0.7 incidents per year from 2017-2021 compared to an average of 2.1 incidents per year from 2012-2021. This positive trend is attributed to various factors, including the use of video content in campaigns by MSC and the widespread availability of game bird hunting safety tips online.
In May 2020, MSC released an emotive safety video to combat a rising number of firearms incidents. Since then, they have been running an annual safety campaign, focusing particularly on Opening Weekend. This year, the duck shooting Opening Weekend is set for May 7, 2022.
Brian Anderton, acting Chief Executive of Fish & Game NZ, expressed his excitement about the upcoming season, stating that game bird hunters have much to look forward to. He attributes the decrease in incidents to duck hunters thinking about their behaviour around firearms and recognizing the impacts of not following the 7 basic firearms rules.
The Duck Hunting season, which spans many months, is expected to be one of the best in years. After the past summer conditions, there are plenty of ducks around, making it an ideal time for hunters to get out and enjoy the sport.
For those new to duck hunting, helpful resources are available to help navigate the season. These include information about maimai setups, dogs, decoys, and preparing bagged game. A reading about Josh's Opening Weekend experience can also be found online.
With more relaxed Covid-19 restrictions, this season looks to be the best for years. Regional statistics and imagery are available upon request from Rebekah Wilson.
As always, hunters are reminded to follow the seven basic rules of firearm safety to ensure a safe and enjoyable season for all. MSC and Fish & Game NZ hope the 2022 season will continue to follow this positive trend.
Stay tuned for more updates and information as the Duck Hunting season approaches!
