Ideal duck-shooting weather is expected for opening day tomorrow, but high river levels in some parts of Otago may mean some maimais are inaccessible or flooded.
Shooters would both "curse and welcome" the rain, Fish and Game Otago operations manager Ian Hadland said.
"Weather conditions for the weekend couldn't be more ideal, with light rain and southerly winds - the sort of weather that mad keen duck hunters relish but drives others indoors."
The rain would have filled some "parched" ponds in Central Otago, but in the lower Clutha delta, river levels were expected to rise, or even flood, as flows from rain in the headlands were discharged down the catchment, he said.
Duck shooters were advised to keep a close watch on river levels.
On the Taieri and in South Otago, shooters on "big open water" might not welcome the extra water lying about in paddocks and drains but, on the positive side, duck numbers were the highest seen in some years, Mr Hadland said.
"Some of the bigger and more permanent waters shoot very well when there is less water. In particular, Waihola and Waipori and the Taieri River."
The rain could also result in ducks moving into Central Otago, where numbers had been about normal for a dry year, he said.
Six teams would be out in the region doing compliance checks. Last year, there was 95% compliance in Otago but they were hoping to improve that, he said.
"We'd . . . remind hunters that breaking the regulations could be costly. One chap caught without a licence and using lead shot was fined over $1900 and had his $1500 semi-auto shotgun forfeited, making opening morning a pretty expensive trip out."
Fish and Game also supported the message police issued recently warning those using firearms to not drink alcohol.
Southern district operations manager Inspector Lane Todd said additional police staff were being rostered to work in rural areas this weekend. They would be targeting drink driving and breaches of the Arms Act.
The only change to regulations for this duck-shooting season was to paradise shelduck, with an across-the-region limit of 12 ducks per day, an increase of two in Central Otago and a reduction in Coastal Otago of three.
• Duck shooters in South Otago can expect to encounter checkpoints and vehicle stops tomorrow morning.
Sergeant Martin Bull, of Balclutha, said police would check gun security, making sure guns and ammunition were kept in separate places, and making sure cars that contain firearms are kept locked, with guns out of sight.
Sgt Bull said police were worried about intoxicated people handling firearms and also drink-driving.
