Press Release – Fish and Game New Zealand Canterbury hunter Stu Henderson and his dog Keisha return to the maimai after recovering a duck at Coopers Lagoon in the Selwyn District. Photo: Richard Cosgrove The weather conditions were in the duck’s favour as the sun rose on the 2021 game bird season around the country. Around 45,000 hunters were out in calm, sunny conditions around most of the country for the traditional Opening Day of the game bird season. Anticipation was high amongst hunters after the Covid-19 virus delayed the start of the 2020 game bird season by three weeks. For well over 100 years kiwis have gathered on the first Saturday in May to take part in the annual celebration of our wonderful New Zealand game birds.