When is a game bird not a game bird? That is the question puzzling regional hunters and landowners in Taranaki, over the current status of Canada Geese.

A recent announcement by Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson that Canada Geese will lose their protected status has led to confusion, with some believing they can hunt the birds now, outside the game bird season.

But Fish and Games NZ is warning hunters not jump the gun and start shooting Canada Geese until the season opens on May 7.

Taranaki Fish and Game manager Daren Smith says people interpreted the announcement wrongly.

“People took it into their head that as soon as the announcement was made...that was law.”

Daren Smith says a date for the law change hasn’t been set down and the 2011 game bird regulations for hunting Canada Geese still apply.