Thread: Game bird diary for all

Good Weekend with the family and dogs in the Manawatu. Alot of shooters reporting lower than average bags and the ducks being very cagey. Most birds shot were mature rather than juveniles which explains alot. Ended up with 38 mallards for the weekend.

We got 12 mallards opening morning in the Waikato- better than average for our pond. We stopped shooting by 9am as was crystal clear and calm and nothing flying. For the evening shoot we didn't see a duck. Sunday was a tough day with only 2 mallards shot - plus missed a couple of easy ones.
Apart from the good yarns the best part of shooting for me is seeing the dogs doing there thing!

Finished with 17 for weekend really slow.2 geese and 2 swans and a possum.

Great weekend in Mid Canterbury, three shooters hit around 80 for opening day, a quiet patch around 2-4pm and then it picked up until dark again. Sunday pushed the numbers up to 100 I believe (I was just there to watch and learn for next season ) The dogs weren't too keen on fetching yet, still young and learning. I'm looking forward to participating in shooting next year.

Got a drake only limit Saturday Sunday then a bit of mixed bag today in another spot

LOTS of good eating there....

Quiet opening for us. Probably the least amount of action i’ve had in the Manawatu. Still an awesome weekend with mates and we still managed a few birds. Saturday they were scarce and very cagey but Sunday morning we did get some real nice decoying pairs with some good shooting. On Saturday I got a phone call from my 5 year old son Hunter “Dad can you take me duck shooting?”. Fast forward to Sunday night we only had two opportunities on last light but a nice drake hit the water and he was a happy lad.

It was a relatively slow opening weekend for me in Kaipara/port Albert. I had my cousin, along with the "take a mate hunting" licence, who spent most of the time behind the gun. Stoked he had an awesome time, and I (as a relatively new hunter) was able to give him an opportunity in a family that otherwise doesn't shoot. The dog Bruce is in fine form, even lying down and holding among the decoys as dumb Paris landed around him. Lots of time working on his steadiness paying off. I managed around 30 pairs and 10 mallards, so I was not unsuccessful, but hardly what some on the forum are boasting above!

More recently, I have been marching around forestry blocks without success. I would love some advice on the following if anybody wants to throw me some pointers off the main forum:
- Muzzle for the pup in forestry? (Dont want him scavenging poisoned animals)
- Tips in general for success on pheasants in forestry
- Advice on what to look for when searching for ducky spots on public/fish and game land
- Shooting from a dingy.

There is lots of gamebird season left.

Tough season so far in the Manawatu. I keep watching the weather forecast waiting for decent rain and wind but three weeks in we still have calm clear days. The lack of water and weather is making it pretty tough going for the plebs like myself who hunt public areas and don’t have private ponds and access to bounce between. Still making some good memories none the less. Maybe the rain will come in June!

Rain tuesday

Originally Posted by Woody

Rain tuesday

Not half bad by the looks. Just need multiple days of it rather then these short stints.

Yes.

two rounds of kent 3" #3 fired through the berretta this afternoon.... two fat mallards came home after young poppy retrieved them.
awesome afternoon sitting in maimai in damp dull conditions.

Opening weekend result for us in Northland

35x Mallards / Greys
36x Parries

Highlights
Getting the old boy out, like an adopted grandad to me, 86 years young this year
Catching up with the other standholders over a game of darts at night
Working the hairy dog

After opening weekend we return to the Auckland Waikato region and hunt mostly Fish and Game and Doc land, weathers been a drag but we are slowly getting our share

Highlights
Best mate shooting his first band
First rooster for the season on the forestry permit