`Round one to the ducks'

An Otematata man was shot while duck-shooting at Lake Waitaki on Saturday night, and two Ranfurly men are likely to face prosecution after shooting 20 protected grey teal, but Fish and Game is otherwise pleased with the level of compliance during the first weekend of the duck season.

• Room with a view

Acting Sergeant Ross Lory, of Oamaru, said the 24-year-old farmer from Otematata, who was shooting in a party of four, received injuries down his side.

He was taken to Kurow Medical Centre and then transferred to Timaru Hospital.

His injuries were not life-threatening, Sgt Lory saidThe season got off to a mostly slow start, with ducks flying higher in fine, clear condition.

Fish and Game Otago operations manager Ian Hadland said six hunters had their shotguns seized and faced prosecution for offences including shooting without a licence and using outlawed lead shot, but the number showed "relatively good compliance".

The two men who shot the grey teal appeared to have shot "everything that came past their pond", he said.

"It's just not on."

The maximum penalty for the offence was six months' jail, a $100,000 fine, and $5000 for each bird under the Wildlife Act.

"The other thing that's disturbing is they had their kids there, which is not a good example," he said.

The grey teal was not endangered, but was fully protected.

Mr Hadland said areas of fog early yesterday in South Otago helped the hunters' cause.

The condition of the ducks appeared to be very good.

Most hunters encountered had shot a few ducks, but after an early-morning flurry of activity, the action had died down.

"Most hunters commented that they had seen more ducks about than in previous years, but they were flying very high."

Cromwell-based Fish and Game field officer Cliff Halford said it was a fine start to the season - for the ducks.

"The clear sunny day meant the birds flew high and . . . good bags were few and far between," Mr Halford said.

"I heard that hunters found opening day pretty tough.

"In Central Otago, most woke up to a cool start and then clear skies and sunshine and many didn't even see a lot of birds."

It was round one to the ducks, he said.