They were following “reasonably good” leads and would release the photos publicly if necessary.
Police were also working through the legalities of the situation, he said.
Otago Fish and Game council chief executive Ian Hadland said he could not comment on whether the men were shooting legally without knowing more details.
John Bisset
The women were walking beside the Clutha River in Alexandra when they were hit. (File photo)
However, rivers and wetlands throughout Otago were common places for duck hunting activity, especially on opening weekend, he said.
“Unfortunately encroachment of dwellings, tracks and cycle trails alongside these same areas does have the potential to put higher densities of people into closer proximity to traditional hunting areas.”