As the game shooting season kicks off Fish & Game, Police, Water Safety and Mountain Safety Council have joined forces to get the safety message across to duck shooters.

Sixty-four percent of all game bird hunting injuries occur in May.

Mountain Safety Council CEO Mike Daisley says tens of thousands of people will be heading out this weekend.

"Forty-one per cent of incidents happen in this one weekend, so it's very clearly related to a lot of people going out to participate this weekend. For us, the most disappointing thing is that most of those incidents if not all are all preventable."

Daisley says remember it is just a duck and making it home should be your priority.

"Making it home is absolutely the biggest priority. Maybe coming home empty handed is better than having a near miss or having a really bad morning because of an incident in the maimai."

He says there were nine injuries last year during opening weekend, down from 16 in 2016.

Fish and Game is urging duck shooters to have fun but be safe.

Chief Executive Martin Taylor says it's a time for mates, fathers and sons to get together but remember alcohol and firearms don't mix.

"Go out, have a good time, shoot your ducks, but don't start drinking until you are back home cooking your ducks up for dinner."

Meanwhile, the Firearms Safety Council is reminding duck shooters not to shoot if they are supervising an unlicensed hunter.

Chairman Joe Green says the firearms act is very clear with unlicenced shooters.

"If you've got responsibility for supervising someone who is not licensed, that means you can't be shooting at the same time. You shouldn't even have a firearm that is loaded or within reach."