Game bird hunters in Otago are urged to be cautious as the nine-day hunting season for paradise shelduck/putangitangi runs from March 1 until March 9.
Otago Fish & Game officer Bruce Quirey said the season followed a record January count of 26,400 birds, up from 18,180 last year, despite an avian botulism outbreak at Waikouaiti wastewater treatment plant, where over 1500 birds died. Fish & Game had been monitoring the area.
The short hunting season helped manage large flocks post-moult, aiding farmers by protecting crops and pastures.
Hunters must obtain a 2024 game-bird licence and hunting is restricted to land areas, away from open water, with a daily bag limit of five birds. —APL
