Ladies, worried about the reaction to those expensive new winter boots you just bought?
If your significant other is a keen - or even social - duck shooter, don't be.
There is every chance he has spent just as much preparing for the opening of duck-shooting season this weekend.
Admittedly, most of the major purchases needed for duck shooting, such as a shotgun, can - like those boots - be worn or used for many years.
But there are the annual ongoing costs of a hunting licence (adult $91) and ammunition - a few hundred dollars - and replacing worn-out or unfashionable gear.
New decoys are the other most popular yearly purchase, with the latest electronic models costing hundreds, retailers say.
But hunters can spend as little or as much as they like.
If they decide a new shotgun is needed, the average cost of a new one is about $1000 to $4000, although second-hand guns can cost a lot less.
Then there are the shooters keen to get their partners and even daughters involved by buying them a shotgun.
If you decide it is not for you, then there is no guilt in joining the traditional girls' day out of shopping and dining.
Down south, some retailers celebrate the occasion, providing bubbles for groups of ''duck-shooting widows'' who flock to the shops.
Otago Fish and Game operations manager Ian Hadland said it was generally - although reluctantly by shooters - acknowledged that a licence was the cheap part of opening weekend.
Fuel, gear, ammunition, food and time off work were collectively much greater.
Last year, a record 4500 licences were sold in Otago, up from 4300 the year before.
Otago Fish and Game ranger Morgan Trotter said duck-shooting opening weekend was a big thing in Otago's small communities such as Middlemarch, Ranfurly and Balclutha.
''Accommodation is often hard to find in these spots and local pubs do quite well.''
Centrefire McCarthy's owner Selwyn Shanks said duck shooting, along with Christmas and the start of the fishing season, was a busy time for hunting retailers.
Just how busy depended on the weather and economy - ''a bit like the ski season'', he said.
Mr Trotter said the weekend forecast was ''better for the ducks'' than the shooters with fine weather and light winds predicted for tomorrow.
''We want strong winds to move the ducks around, but if they can stick around until Sunday afternoon when the wind picks up, it could be good.''
The wet spring had led to a good duck-breeding season, he said.
Fish and Game rangers would be out across the region this weekend, checking shooters were following regulations and carrying licences.
Southern police will run operations, visiting Otago taverns frequented by shooters.
