We have had a pretty harsh drought here this year, and it continued through the first week of duckshooting season, with the result being our opening weekend tallies were well down. Just not the ducks flying.
So yesterday with the first decent rain since november and some strong winds as well, My brother an I headed out for an evening hunt. It was worth it.
We both came home with limits, Took some nice shots, Missed a couple of easy ones and had a ball.
Not much in the way of photos as it was pissing down, but I did think it worth sharing this one.
One of the grey ducks we shot was melanistic which is pretty unusual. You can see it next too the standard colouration.

You are so lucky to still have duck hunting in NZ. Good photo of the ducks. I was there in 2014 with a friend duck hunting. We had the best time.

Pete

Yes we are! And we have some amazing bird hunting all round.
When I hunted Sambar with Gryph, I was really impressed with your wood ducks. Would love to be able to take one for the wall, but unsure if its allowed now?

Would be OK in Vic as they are legal during the duck season down there.

We hunted Lake Ellesmere as we were based out of Christchurch. But have another friend in the North Island and we have been trying for the last few years to organize a hunt swap. I will take him fox shooting and he will take me out for a pheasant. Hoping he can get over here this winter now that Oz and NZ are frying again.

Pete

Shanks there is a mob here that is up to 90 strong,they are here permanently.
A couple of rough pics for you mate,the fly by is poor and the ducks on the lawn taken through the glass door.

yep, and cool looking duck.
I dont know about woodies, but we occasionally get the odd mountain duck show up over here, and a few weeks ago I had a cattle egret show up and hang around for a bit, which was a first for our farm.

Gryph - you can have all your spur-winged plovers back though.

Get the occasional cape barren goose through here - seen maybe a dozen over the years