Duck hunters have made it through the season's opening weekend free of serious injury.
Duck calling on an irrigation pond near Oxford North Canterbury Photo: Fish & Game New Zealand
Last year three people were injured in accidental shootings at the beginning of the season, including a 10-year-old boy who was shot in the foot.
Fish and Game communications manager Don Rood said the organisation had really pushed safety messages this year and so far there had been no reports of serious injuries.
A safety video created for this season appeared to be getting the message out, he said.
"It's had over 110,000 views on Mountain Safety Council's website and another 30,000 on Youtube, so that's a great success, considering there are only 40,000-odd duck hunters around."
Serious injuries and deaths during the season were usually due to pellets, falls and drownings, Mr Rood said.
There were heightened concerns around water safety this season because of lingering floodwaters from April's heavy downpours, he said.
