Websites offering aerial views of Otago were the latest tool for rangers tasked with monitoring the opening of this duck-shooting season, Fish and Game Otago operations manager Ian Hadland said.
"We leave no stone unturned these days. Everything's available online," he said.
Rangers found locations of mai mais (hides) and access tracks using websites such as Google Earth and so could plot the most efficient and safest routes in and out, Mr Hadland said.
It saved time that would otherwise be wasted trying to find shooters and kept rangers out of the firing line as they visited a greater number of hunters, he said.
Some mai mais were hidden deep in gullies kilometres from the nearest roads and could not otherwise be found, Mr Hadland said.
Fish and Game Otago advertised its use of aerial searching but some shooters were still surprised when they were found by a ranger, he said.
"People who thought they might have gotten away from a ranger's visit because they were remote are now being detected.
"But we don't want to catch people out. The focus is on getting to and from mai mais quickly and safely," Mr Hadland said.
About 4000 hunters participated in the weekend's duck-shooting season opening throughout Otago. More than 100 were spoken to by rangers.
Just four shotguns were seized and six offence notices issued for possession of banned lead ammunition.
Mr Hadland said overall this year's early season duck-shooters were well behaved.
"We are still getting information in from volunteer rangers, but it looks as if there was over 95% compliance, which is great," he said.
The fine, calm weekend weather throughout most of Otago gave birds an advantage over shooters, but there were still three months left in the season, Mr Hadland said.
"The weather, and the odds, will change at some stage," he said.
Hits were heaviest in Central Otago, in the Maniototo, where some shooters were close to bagging their limit before lunch, he said.
Otago police were also impressed with the behaviour of duck-shooters.
Senior Sergeant Brian Benn, of Dunedin, said additional road checkpoints were set up around Dunedin and in Waikouaiti, Port Chalmers and Balclutha.
He said only a few tickets were issued, for expired warrants and registration.
