A fresh breeze near coastal areas had ducks on the move, while hunters off the water and on the roads had police prevention Sgt Tim Coudret offering the greater Clutha area a "big high five".
"Opening weekend was great from a police point of view. [We] dealt with no major issues."
He said police would have been very visible and that played a huge part in everyone staying safe
"[We] conducted checkpoints over the area and were very pleased no-one was over the limit.
"We noticed a large amount of sober drivers driving people around.
"It’s awesome to see mates looking after mates"
Altogether, Balclutha police bagged just four infringements for speed.
Otago Fish and Game (F&G) also celebrated a weekend of hunter responsibility, noting only two hunters without opening permits for the area.
"Conditions were cold, breezy and damp in South Otago and West Otago," F&G communications officer Bruce Quirey said.
"We visited dozens of ponds in the area to conduct compliance checks but met only five hunters, so we found that unusually quiet.
"One of our rangers said it was great meeting three generations of [the Murray family] getting outdoors together.
"By around lunchtime, they harvested three mallards and 15 paradise ducks from a well-camouflaged hunting stand set among fallen trees."
A busier weekend was had by a "couple of dozen" male and female shooters of the gathered Bonney clan, who represent five generations and seven mai mai of hunting across Kaitangata’s Lake Tuakitoto.
"Very good opening weekend," Michael Bonney said on Monday morning.
"We had a good wind blowing the birds in from the sea ... My mai mai got 46 on the first day and 16 on the second."
The family also had a busy time processing their impressive bag, and Mr Bonney said duck-shooting always meant plenty of people would have meat in the freezer.
Most duck-shooters checked by rangers had moderate bags of mallard and paradise ducks, and a few groups had bumper harvests, Mr Quirey said.
Mallard numbers were higher in lowland areas, whereas paradise shelduck appeared to be especially prevalent in the high country.
The Otago mallard season continues until July 28, and the upland game bird season opens on June 1.
