Both Barrels July 2021

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 2021, the closing day is Sunday, July 25.

Be sure to check out all the season dates first-hand in this 2021 Game Bird Hunting Guide, including those for our 2022 summer season.

If you are ever in doubt about a certain regulation, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Central South Island Fish & Game: email - csi@fishandgame.org.nz, phone – 03 6158400.

Above Right: A late-season shoveler double for Rhys Adams - credit R De Lange

The paradise shelduck and upland game seasons continue

Don’t put your shotgun away just yet

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

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.

Quail love scrubby riverbed areas.

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.

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

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

Developed high-country pastures and places where farm animals are being fed out winter crops can be hot spots for these birds in late winter.

The scenic surroundings add to the enjoyment of the hunt and there might even be a few Canada geese to hunt too.

Need a spot for Opening Weekend 2022?

Opening Day at Devils Bridge Wetland.

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.

For more information click here

Promoting our values

We love hunting swans because just one bird provides several delicious game bird meals like schnitzel from the breast and stewed legs in gravy’.

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

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

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 2021 game bird season.

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

Rhys Adams, Central South Island Fish & Game Officer