Otago’s nine-day ‘special’ season for paradise shelduck/pūtangitangi begins today (Saturday March 7), giving hunters an early opportunity to get out in the paddock with strong bird numbers reported across the region.

It makes for “a perfect opportunity to gain experience before the opening of the main 2026 game bird season on May 2”, Otago Fish & Game communications officer Bruce Quirey said.

This year’s season followed an exceptionally strong moult count, with paradise shelduck numbers reaching a 35-year high.

“This is shaping up as a great opportunity for hunters,” he said. 

“With plenty of birds about, the special season is ideal for harvesting wild kai and for junior or new hunters to build confidence ahead of the main game bird season.”

Bruce said juvenile paradise shelduck taken at this time of year were particularly good eating.

Hunting during the special season also helped disperse large flocks of post-moult birds grazing on rural crops - but farmers still experiencing problems with game waterfowl are encouraged to contact their local Fish & Game office.

Hunters do not need elaborate decoy spreads to be successful, particularly when targeting young birds.

“Simple decoys can work extremely well,” Bruce said. “Fish & Game rangers in another region checked a hunter who had taken his limit over a spread made from pieces of large black plastic drainpipe.”

Home-made painted silhouettes, lightweight printed corflute silhouettes, or basic shell decoys “can all do the job”. 

“The key is keeping things simple, staying concealed, and setting up where birds are already feeding.”

Hunters must hold a valid 2025 game bird licence (whole season or daily), check the regulations including bag limits, and obtain landowner permission before hunting private land.

Special season hunting is restricted to areas at least 200 metres from open water and it generally takes place over decoys in paddocks.

While there are several hunting areas around Wānaka, many hunters head to Central Otago during the season for the best spots.

The ‘special’ season runs through to Sunday March 15.