In a statement, Central South Island Fish & Game officer Rhys Adams said the opening weekend was always a much anticipated event.
"[It is] famed for reconnecting friends and family and providing a few free-range duck dinners."
He said a 2025 survey of duck hunters revealed that the top two reasons why hunters valued the season was for a source of wild meat and for the social aspects of hunting with friends and family.
"We anticipate around 2000 hunters will be active throughout the region over opening weekend.
"Most will be hunting in groups, utilising opening weekend as an annual social event to connect with family and friends while they harvest birds for the dinner table.
"Hunters collectively harvest around 36,000 game birds, mainly mallard duck and paradise shelduck, over opening weekend throughout the Central South Island region."
Central South Island Fish & Game undertake annual game bird population surveys and the latest results suggested the relatively wet summer on the Canterbury Plains had supported a productive breeding season.
"Our Canterbury Plains surveys of mallard duck and paradise shelduck population undertaken in March observed healthy numbers — near the long-term average for mallard duck counts and the second to highest count on record for paradise shelduck.
"Annual population monitoring shows black swan numbers are relatively high throughout the region and we encourage hunters to target their daily bag limit of five black swan, to utilise this great harvest opportunity."
Central South Island Fish & Game rangers will be active around the region on opening weekend checking on licensing and hunter’s adherence to the game bird hunting regulations.
Hunters were reminded to obtain their game bird licences and review the game season regulations, Mr Adams said.
"Especially those regulations covering the use of non-toxic ammunition.
"Hunters seeking clarification of any regulations are urged to contact our Fish & Game Office in Temuka to speak with one of our team of rangers, we are here to help.
"Rain, hail or shine — we hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable opening weekend and we look forward to meeting hunters in their mai mais while we are out ranging."
The Central South Island region game bird season is open until July 26 for waterfowl species: mallard duck, grey duck, New Zealand shoveller duck, black swan and pūkeko. — Allied Media
