Hunters around the country have their fingers and toes crossed for some foul weather this weekend with the game bird season getting underway.

Fish & Game New Zealand chief CEO Corina Jordan says a good breeding season means Opening Weekend looks promising for hunters.

Jordan will be joining scores of other hunters this season, gathering wild, free-range game birds during the long hunting season New Zealand has.

“New Zealand has plenty of options for game bird hunters; it’s more than just Opening Weekend; Kiwi hunters can hunt game birds throughout the winter.

“The dry summer had game bird hunters worried, but a good rain would bring smiles to the faces of the approximately 60,000 people who get out in the wild on Opening Weekend.

“There are plenty of birds around throughout the country after several good breeding seasons, but they have been concentrated where there’s water over summer. With a bit more rain they will spread out to other wetlands and farm dams providing more hunting opportunities.

“We just need some really bad weather for Opening Weekend – that’s what makes for great hunting, and that’s what hunters throughout the country will be hoping for.

“Regardless of what conditions we get over Opening Weekend, we know hunters will have a good time – they love getting out with their dogs and spending time with friends and family. Hunting is also a great way to get kids off devices, out in fresh air and teach important skills, instill a desire to protect the environment and help them learn independence. 

“Women are also increasingly getting out and having a go, and my experience is that it’s liberating. It’s time to share with your hunting buddies, but it also means you can bring back something delicious and healthy for dinner.  

“It’s also a great time to celebrate the massive conservation effort put in by hunters – if it wasn’t for Fish & Game and hunters, there wouldn’t be a lot of these wetlands left. The work done to protect these threatened habitats benefits not just waterfowl that we hunt but provides refuge to native species too.”