Duck-shooting in Otago got off to a safe and mostly successful start on the weekend, unlike in some other parts of New Zealand where firearm injuries marred opening day.
Otago Fish and Game operations manager Ian Hadland said he was not aware of any such incidents in the region, "which is great, especially when you consider there could be 5000 people involved''.
On Saturday, a 10-year-old boy was accidentally shot in the foot in Taranaki; in the Tararua district, a 55-year-old man was shot in the eye; and in Lismore, near Ashburton, a man in his 30s suffered a wrist injury in a duck-shooting incident.
Complaints to police included a report of shotgun pellets hitting the roof and windows of a Waipara (North Canterbury) house, and shots being fired near a property in Whitford in southeast Auckland.
Police in Dunedin said last night no incidents had been reported.
Mr Hadland said the fine, calm and warm conditions meant game-bird hunters dispensed with thick camouflage jackets and reached for sunglasses on the first day of the three-month season.
Saturday was one of the warmest opening days he could remember, something that was becoming familiar.
"Duck-hunting season used to be marked by cracking frosts or scruffy weather but over the last 10 years we haven't seen anything like that.
"Fine conditions makes the hunting very tough, with suspicious birds flying high and having plenty of time to inspect your decoy set-up or listen for a bung note from your duck caller.
"A little bit of wind would have been helpful.''
Mr Hadland said duck numbers were good
but with water levels low, bags were mixed.
Some hunters had their best opening yet, reaching their allowed limit by mid-afternoon "in most unlikely spots'', while those at ponds which had traditionally shot well were left wondering where all the ducks had gone.
"But it can be a bit fickle like that.''
About 4000 hunting licences were sold in Otago, a similar number to last year.
Hunter compliance with regulations was also good, with more than 95% being compliant.
A "couple of offenders'' engaged in unlicensed hunting and the possession of banned lead shot would be followed up.
