It is not really about the ducks. That was the word from Aaron Horrell as he explained why opening weekend of duck-shooting was sacrosanct for many hunters.
Mr Horrell (47), the Clutha Fisheries Trust field officer, has been a duck-shooter for ''only'' 18 years. He spent the weekend with his two sons - Bill, who turned 23 on Saturday, and Jarod (19). The Cromwell trio camped out with a few friends at Kidd Creek, Queensberry.
''It's a cliche, I know but it's not all about the ducks - it's a chance to bring your family along, have some good mates around, camp out.''
''From a father's perspective, to me it's important to have these times, as your family gets older ... duck-shooting is duck-shooting, and this weekend is set in stone. Bill said the weekend was a good chance to have a catch-up.
''I can't seem to shoot any ducks, so it's not about that ... we're just here for a laugh and a bit of banter.''
His father said the anticipation of duck-shooting season was half the fun.
''Getting your gun ready, checking the weather forecast, worrying whether there's enough water in the creek for the ducks, putting some feed out, it's all part of the build-up.
''Along with getting the mai mai ready and having your duck-shooting spot all polished up and funky,'' Aaron Horrell said.
The group had shot 20 ducks by 2pm on opening day and were happy with their haul.
''At the end of the day, it's a harvest thing. We hunt for food and there's a certain amount of pride if you've shot enough to share so there's a couple of ducks to be had by each of the families,'' Aaron said.
He is so passionate about the outdoors lifestyle that during the last season, he took some ducks along to a Cromwell early childhood centre to ''broaden the education of the children so they understand where food comes from''.
''They had a turn plucking and then watched me gut the birds - mostly it was only the girls left watching by the time I gutted the ducks. Later on they tried some cooked duck.''
