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Otago Daily Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Shooters' opening weekend mixed bag
Oamaru duck-shooter Matthew Williams holds a mallard duck and paradise duck harvested from All Day Bay Lagoon near Kakanui on opening morning. PHOTO: RHYS ADAMS/FISH & GAME It was a mixed bag for North Otago duck-shooters at the start of the season at the weekend. On Saturday, the opening day of the 2025 game bird shooting season, a team from Central South Island Fish & Game was operating in the Maheno area, south of Oamaru. "Opening-day weather was pleasant for hunting and socialising with clear skies and a moderate breeze from the west, helping to put movement in hunters' decoys and direction for the birds to land," a Fish & Game spokesperson said. "In comparison to last year's drought conditions, which left many ponds dry and hunters out of options, the wet autumn provided great water levels, and many hunters were out enjoying their opening. "Farmer Mike Holland, of Waianakarua, hunted his farm pond with family, including 4-year-old grandson Franklin Attfield and their canine companion. On Mike's second farm pond, several visiting and local hunters enjoyed their morning, harvesting a mix of mallard duck, paradise shelduck and Canada geese." Nearby, in Maheno, three generations of the Hunt family enjoyed their first opening on the pond of their new property. Of significance was 5-year-old Douglas Hunt's first opening-day experience. He really enjoyed helping gundog Charlie retrieve the ducks that fell behind the pond into the paddock. Oamaru man Mathew Williams hunted the Fish & Game-owned All Day Bag Lagoon near Kakanui with success. Mathew was one of three parties who were granted opening weekend hunting rights to the lagoon through an annual ballot administered by Central South Island Fish & Game. "Rangers checked on 28 hunters, a mix of local and visiting hunters. Although the majority of hunters were fully compliant with the hunting regulations, three hunters were found offending, being in possession of lead ammunition, while hunting within 200m of open water. "Hunters' harvests were mixed, with most harvesting a mallard duck or paradise shelduck by noon on Saturday. "Preliminary data from the game bird harvest survey indicates hunters across the region harvested about nine mallards and three paradise shelduck each, on average, for the weekend [two days]." The occasional black swan, pūkeko and New Zealand shoveler duck were also harvested. "Central South Island Fish & Game has issued 2282 combined adult and junior 2025 game bird hunting licences. This is a moderate number and up by approximately 10% on last season which was impacted by drought with many dry ponds resulting in reduced hunting opportunity." The main game bird season is open until July 27. Day game bird hunting licences are on sale from Monday. The Central South Island region includes the Waitaki Valley and areas North of Shag Point and including the Waianakarua and Kakanui catchments. The Otago Fish & Game region extends south of Shag Point. Hunting regulations vary between Fish & Game regions and hunters are reminded to check the game bird hunting regulations before going hunting. Any clarification should be sought from a Fish & Game office. — APL
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Fishing offences reduce by over half
Anglers fish for trout and salmon at the Tekapo Canal. PHOTOS: RHYS ADAMS/FISH & GAME Central South Island Fish & Game Council is highlighting improved angling compliance at the Mackenzie Basin hydro canal fishery. The improvement has aligned with an increase in ranging and compliance activities this fishing season. Fish & Game rangers have encountered 16 anglers committing offences since the start of the current fishing season in October 2024 at the Mackenzie hydro canals. Fifty offending anglers were encountered in the same period during the previous season. In a statement Central South Island Fish & Game chief executive Steve McKnight said the reduction in offenders has come at a time when increased resourcing had been put towards ensuring anglers were licensed and sticking to the regulations. Anglers fish for trout and salmon at the junction of the Pūkaki and Ōhau canals. "Our council recognises the value of the internationally renowned canal fishery to anglers and the local community and has increased its ranging capability to aid in supporting the fishery's sustainability. "Rangers have increased angling compliance checks by 20% this season. "We believe the increased ranger presence at the canals and publicising successful prosecutions of offenders may have has served as a tangible deterrent to would-be offenders." In March 2025 Central South Island Fish & Game prosecuted angler Terepoitirere Pita for fishing without a licence at the Ōhau B Canal. Mr Pita was convicted of fishing without a licence and fines and costs totalled $800. All anglers fishing for sports fish including trout, salmon and redfin perch in freshwater are required under the Conservation Act 1987 to obtain a sports fishing licence and adhere to the sports fishing regulations. — APL
