Use of lead shot and not having a game licence will lead to some prosecutions in South Canterbury following the opening weekend of the duck shooting season.

Central Couth Island Fish and Game officer Graeme McClintock said it was a successful opening weekend with some hunters managing to bag the limit.

He said the most successful hunters had been along the coast line.

"It wasn't the best weather for opening morning but the coastal hunters definitely faired well.

"The limit is 50 birds a day, that's for mallards, and there were reports of that being reached. If they bagged that many each they did pretty well.

"Then on Sunday we had another southerly come along and the ducks moved further inland, so it was a good opening weekend for all."

But Mr McClintock said a number of people had carried on using the outlawed lead shot instead of steel shot, despite plenty of warning.

"Most people were pretty good and have got used to the steel shot now, but there are always a few who just carry on.

"Most of those were in central and the Mackenzie country, and those people will be prosecuted.

"It's a new rule so we are unsure how the judge will handle it at this stage.

"Notices of offence were also issued to people who were shooting without a licence. They will be prosecuted too and could be fined up to $500.

"We had 25 rangers out between Ashburton and Oamaru."

Mr McClintock said the duck season ran until July 31.

"Opening weekend is always popular. Everybody goes out.

"But I want to remind people there is a lot of the season left and if they get out there are a lot of ducks in the area.

"Over the summer we saw large numbers of ducks on ponds and lakes and the farmers have also reported large numbers on their crops."

Mr McClintock said when the rough weather came along and the ducks moved inland from the sea, was the best time for hunting.

He said it was also the season for quail and chukar and that remained open until August 28.

He said chukar lived in the Mackenzie country among the tussock.