Early preparation is key to "getting things right" on the opening weekend of duck-shooting season, Fish & Game say. The season opens tomorrow and Fish & Game Central South Island officer Rhys Adams said he expected about 2000 shooters to be out in the region. "Most will be hunting in groups, utilising opening weekend as an annual social event to connect with family and friends while they harvest birds for the dinner table," he said. "A 2025 survey of duck hunters revealed that the top two reasons why hunters value the game bird hunting season is for a source of wild meat and for the social aspects of hunting with friends and family." Duck-shooters were expected to collectively harvest about 36,000 game birds, mostly mallard duck and paradise shelduck, over opening weekend throughout the Central South Island region, he said. "Preparing chilly bins, ice, freezer bags, and butchering gear will ensure all the valuable meat is prepared and stored in pristine condition.…