Both Barrels July 2022

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

There’s just enough time for another hunt or two to stock the freezer with free-range game meat.

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

For 2022, the closing day is Sunday, July 31.

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

If you are ever in doubt about a particular 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 morning hunt results in a couple of prime mallard drakes-Photo Rhys Adams.

The paradise shelduck and upland game seasons continue

Do not 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 hunting in the scrubby margins of the Rangitata River-Photo Richie Cosgrove

Quail are 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 in 2023?

The view from Stand One at Devils Bridge Wetland-Photo Rhys Adams

Depending on water levels, the Central South Island Fish & Game Council has up to sixteen stands available for hunting on Opening Weekend on wetlands it owns or manages.

Balloted Entries are open from 1 February to 1 March.

The ballot is drawn on the next working day after 1 March.

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 can be occupied by up to two hunters, the ballot winner and one 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

Taking duck dogs hunting at public wetlands and watching them successfully retrieve our ducks is something we value immensely - Credit Conor Carlaw.

CSI Fish & Game promote game bird hunting 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 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 2022 game bird season.

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

Warm Barrels

Rhys Adams, Central South Island Fish & Game Officer