Thread: Air Rifle hunting help.

Parrie ducks are a game bird so require a game license, in season and a shotgun.

Oh, I have a few friends that go hunting for paradise ducks with air guns on private farms and vineyards. Is that still legal?

Originally Posted by scamp125

Is that still legal?

No, not in general, but a quick Google indicates it's possible to get special permits, whether your mates have that or not is another question.

Originally Posted by MB

No, not in general, but a quick Google indicates it's possible to get special permits, whether your mates have that or not is another question.

I asked them and they said they did have a permit.

Originally Posted by scamp125

I asked them and they said they did have a permit.

Interesting. When I was last talking to Fish and Game for getting a permit for Pukeko, they were very interested in ensuring the caliber I was using would have a low chance of injuring an animal. (injure vs quick kill) A .177 air rifle or even .22 air rifle would require a very precise shot, and the chance of injury and escape would be high.
I'll talk to them again when I get the permit renewed next, as something seems off.

you can apply to DOC or it could be Fish and Game ring them and ask which - but you will likely have to supply the name of the landowner and why the paradise are a nuisance - the permits are not dished out add hoc - the land owner must have a real problem with the paradise and can then get a permit to reduce numbers and the permit may well be for a specific property and perhaps even time bound

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

you can apply to DOC or it could be Fish and Game ring them and ask which - but you will likely have to supply the name of the landowner and why the paradise are a nuisance - the permits are not dished out add hoc - the land owner must have a real problem with the paradise and can then get a permit to reduce numbers and the permit may well be for a specific property and perhaps even time bound

It's fish and game that issue the permit. They will require property address, type of bird, name of shooter, caliber of firearm being used, valid reason for removal of said birds, and if you will be shooting them on the ground or inflight.
If they are happy with everything, they will issue a permit with a bunch of conditions. Normally a max number shot per day, allowed caliber if you specified a few, and often will also require you to purchase a game bird license if it's in gamebird season. At the end of the permit, I was asked to report back on numbers shot.

Originally Posted by scamp125

Oh, I have a few friends that go hunting for paradise ducks with air guns on private farms and vineyards. Is that still legal?

some on here helping - but give you a bit more oil - ducks/ geese can be split into 3 groups 1) domestic ducks geese- this includes Canada geese which are not now a game bird -all could be shot with an air rifle provided it was not a suburban area and you had the owners permission etc - 2) those ducks that require a gamebird liscense and can only be shot in season or with a special permit - shot gun required i.e paradise mallard etc --3 ) totally protected cannot be shot loss of rifle shotgun vehicle etc - I would be looking at rabbits hares turkeys and possibly peacocks all good eating to

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

some on here helping - but give you a bit more oil - ducks/ geese can be split into 3 groups 1) domestic ducks geese- this includes Canada geese which are not now a game bird -all could be shot with an air rifle provided it was not a suburban area and you had the owners permission etc - 2) those ducks that require a gamebird liscense and can only be shot in season or with a special permit - shot gun required i.e paradise mallard etc --3 ) totally protected cannot be shot loss of rifle shotgun vehicle etc - I would be looking at rabbits hares turkeys and possibly peacocks all good eating to

Oh right, thanks!