Thread: Riverbed Ducks - Dos and Don’ts

Have done a few seasons shooting in the Waikato from MaiMai but considering having a go at walking some of the riverbeds in Canterbury this season. Obviously waiting until after opening weekend and steering clear of occupied maimai or other stands.

Any strategy tips or advice to consider from the learnerd ones out there?

give it a go...up stream better than down stream...approach EVERY bit of cover as if it contains dozens of fat mallards... carry binoculars and use them.
be prepared to stop midstream and squat down if birds trading your way and pass shoot them...after a shot wait n watch for few minutes as parries will often lift off and come see whats going on,again,seek whatever scarce cover is available in open riverbed and pass shoot...works better with two people,one stays in open and other hides 50 yards away,birds give person 50yards wide berth,hopefully over mate in cover.
you will see lots of hares so be aware of it if have dog....
carry a few light loads of small steel shot if you can find them as may find quail...
good boots as the rocks are hard on ankles.
couple of solids n buckshot in tit pocket...you just never know when will spook a deer,pig,wallaby.
widebrimmed hat,the sun is intense...drink lots of water....

be plurry careful about firing zone,shooting over treetops COULD see shot falling somewhere it shouldnt...google earth is your friend,do your homework before setting out.
getting dropped off at roadend and walking down to another where car is waiting works well.I spend many afternoons doing this on Ashburton river...didnt matter how many of few shots were fired,the walk itself is reward....a hare for the dog to eat...or a duck for me..both were great...the day I managed a canada goose I thought I was king of the world.
sitting out in middle of riverbed in evening and watching sun go down can be oh so good for the soul.....if harvesters have been working nearby,maize,peas,grain....it can be very productive if you just happen to be on flight line or on edge of flight circuit.
getting to know cocky where you park vehicle is good idea and can lead to better access...they now KNOW why the red corrolla is parked down by the cow paddock,and KNOW the shots arent into the barn...I flick a txt to cockie beside where I go 6-7-10 times a year,have done so for 6 years now. he gets parries moved off his riverside paddocks...I get mallards fat on maize silage....the dog gets zapped by fence!!!! man she hates them.

I'm not too bloody keen on electric fences either

Where did you used to shoot on the waikato river.?thinking about taking the dinghy for a scouting mission close to opening day and try to find where the ducks are hanging out,I looking around the narrows just south of waikato near mystery creek region as it’s close to home.

Was shooting on a pond in the Hauraki Plains so can’t give any points on the Waikato sorry! Great advice thanks MD!

With only this weekend spare for a walk and absolutely soggy weather forecast thinking of seeing if I can find some geese lurking round the Ashley River. Doc permit sorted but can anyone tell me if you need a current game bird license for the Regional Park for geese? - the ECan site seems to suggest so but can’t be arsed sitting on the phone waiting to talk to someone there to check.

Ta in advance.

geese ARENT a gamebird controlled by fsh n game...you dont need licence and can shoot them wherever whenever with whatever you want....

Yep, just trying to get hold of an ECan ranger to see if they let folks shoot geese out of season on ECan owned land. They have a standing partnership with F&G to manage gamebird hunting but doesn’t sound like the rules have been updated since geese were reclassified a pest. Doc were great and issued small game permit same day so worse case will just check out the Doc blocks.