Both Barrels July 2020

The traditional game bird hunting season is ending in the Central South Island Region.

The mallard, grey, NZ shoveler duck, pukeko and swan seasons all close on the last Sunday in July.

For 2020, closing day is Sunday July 26.

Be sure to check out all the season dates first hand in this 2020 Game Bird Hunting Guide, including those for our 2021 summer season.

Right: A late-season mixed bag hunt for Rhys Adams’- credit R De Lange

The paradise shelduck and upland game seasons continue

Don’t put your shotgun away just yet

West of State Highway 1, within the Central South Island Fish & Game Region the paradise shelduck season continues through to last Sunday in September.

Paradise shelduck in the Rangitata high-country-credit R Adams

These birds, especially younger ones decoy well when you set up in their home turf.

Developed High-country pastures can be hot spots for these birds in late winter and the scenic surroundings add to the enjoyment of the hunt.

The quail and chukar season close on the last Sunday in August.

Quail are scattered throughout the region and are most active on warm sunny days. Scrubby riverbed areas are a good place to start looking for quail.

Remember, chukar hunting requires a permit, contact our office to get yours, email Central South Island Fish & Game hstevens@fishandgame.org.nz or phone 03 6158400.

Need a spot for opening weekend 2020?

Ralph Bullock left, and Neville Alexander hunting the newly installed at Wainono Reserve on open Sunday - R Adams

Depending on water levels the Central South Island Fish & Game Council has up to 16 stands available for hunting the opening weekend on wetlands it owns or manages.

These stands are balloted annually and invitations to apply are advertised in local papers and the Fish & Game Website in February.

There is one stand for a group of four hunters at Ealing Springs on the Rangitata River, up to nine stands at Wainono Reserve adjacent to Wainono Lagoon by Waimate, and three stands each at All Day Bay Lagoon and Devils Bridge wetland near Oamaru.

Other than at Ealing Springs the stands are occupied by up to two hunters, the ballot winner and a companion.

The stands offer modest hunting opportunities and are a great way to secure a spot for opening in attractive hunting grounds.

This year we made it super easy to hunt our Wainono Wetland by installing and scrubbing up maimais that provide “just add decoys” hunting.

Promoting our values

Gun dogs are valued members of the hunting community-Credit R Adams

CSI Fish & Game promote hunting various ways including through newsletters like Both Barrels, our annual preseason magazine and in the local papers.

Through this promotion it’s important that we show hunters and the general public who we are as game bird hunters and what we value – like recreating in public wetlands, hunting with dogs, and harvesting free range birds to feed our families and hunting buddies.

If you would like to help to promote game bird hunting please consider emailing us good-quality photos of you and your hunting companions from the CSI Region over the 2020 game bird season.

Email photos for consideration to Rhys Adams: radams@fishandgame.org.nz

Ducks are yum

Ducks are yum and you can prepare and cook them in so many delicious ways.

Our YouTube channel has some great info to help you get the basics right and then try out some exciting dishes.

To start check out our - how-to pluck a duck video here.

Then progress to the kitchen with these recipe ideas: The best breast, Thai red curry, and Duck schnitzel burgers.

Bon Appetit!

hot barrels

Rhys Adams, Central South Island Fish & Game Officer