Te Tari Pūreke – Firearms Safety Authority, in collaboration with  NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) and Fish & Game New Zealand, is reminding duck hunters to put safety first this opening weekend and throughout the season.

About 60,000 hunters are expected to take to their maimai (duck hunting hides) for opening weekend on 2 May.

“We know hunters take safety seriously and are using firearms responsibly,” says MSC Chief Executive, Mike Daisley. “However, maimai around the motu will be busy on opening weekend with everyone keen to bag a duck. Things can happen quickly and that can lead to avoidable mistakes.”

MSC analysis of ACC injury claims shows that 23 of the total 39 injuries last duck hunting season occurred on opening weekend, when the highest number of hunters are in the field. Of these injuries, 12 involved a firearm, while 27 were caused by other incidents, such as slips, trips or falls in or around the maimai. 

MSC says following the 7 Firearms Safety Rules is paramount to being safe this season. 

“Firearms incidents are entirely avoidable if you follow the 7 Firearms Safety Rules,” says Daisley. “This is especially important in a maimai where there is limited space and often more than one person using a firearm at the same time. We want hunters to make the right memories this duck season.” 

TeTari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority stresses the importance of having a plan, especially in a busy maimai. 

Director of Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, recommends putting someone in charge to oversee the 7 Firearms Safety Rules.

“Our message is simple: Keep your ducks in a row. That means agreeing on a plan so everyone knows what to do before the first ducks arrive,” McIlraith says. “Remember to treat every firearm as loaded and always point it in a safe direction. When the shotguns are not in use, make sure they are unloaded and in a rest or holder” 

This year, duck hunters are also being reminded of the importance of protecting their hearing.

“Hearing loss is a very real risk for hunters,particularly in confined spaces such as amaimai,” says McIlraith.“Make sure everyone in the maimai has some form of hearing protection.”

Duck hunting is increasingly becoming a family event, and Fish & Game encourages passing down knowledge and safety practices through the generations.

"When I visit maimai on opening day, I see more and more families enjoying the experience together," says Chief Operating Officer Richie Cosgrove. 

"Grandparents and parents are teaching the next generation how to harvest their own food, behave safely in and around a maimai, and handle firearms responsibly. It's a lot of fun, but these are also important lessons that stay with you for life."

MSC, TeTari Pūreke and Fish & Game wish all duck hunters a safe and enjoyable season. 

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