At 5.10am, the lakeside was already active, with utes and trailers parked beside the wetland near Kaitangata.
The air was cold but not frosty and the still conditions carried the sound of abundant birdlife through the dark across the lake’s still surface.
Eight more vehicles arrived over the next hour and groups began launching dinghies before dawn, carrying more than a dozen people and dogs who had come from around the Clutha District and Dunedin, heading to mai mai hidden around the water.
At 6.44am the first shots rang out and within minutes choruses of gunfire thundered around the lake.
By 9am shooting had become more sporadic as many birds sought refuge elsewhere.
Closer to Dunedin, it was likely 11-year-old Mason Parish would remember this opening weekend for a long time.
"It was pretty cool for him to call in a couple of ducks," Mr Parish said.
"It’s something he won’t forget."
"It’s been great for the young fella to see what it’s about.
"He’s enjoyed every moment of it."
Mr Parish said the managed wetland was an ideal environment for juniors and newcomers to find their feet — a great resource in a controlled, safe environment — and keeping the tradition alive for the next generation was what it was all about.
At the end of the opening day they had bagged 12 ducks — eight mallards and four paradise shelducks.
"Bird numbers were mixed, but hunters were in great spirits and the vast majority were doing the right thing out there.
"Our rangers had a busy day and were well-received wherever they went.
"There’s a good season ahead — we’d encourage everyone to get back out and make the most of it."
Rangers were active across multiple parts of the region — including the Taieri, South Otago, the Catlins, Wakatipu, and Wānaka — contacting shooters at dozens of ponds and wetlands on private and public land.
Compliance was high, Mr Quirey said.
Isolated offences included shooting without a valid game bird licence, use of lead shot, the taking of a pukeko (zero bag limit in Otago) and a protected grey teal — exceptions in an otherwise well-managed opening day, he said.
