Both Barrels July 2023 - Wellington

Above: Tussock is happy with his riverbed outing in the Manwatu-Photo Dave Little.

The waterfowl season may be drawing to a close but don’t put the shotty away just yet! 

There are plenty of upland game hunting opportunities available in the lower North Island, and along with pukeko, you can’t hunt these right through to August 27.  

Pukeko are great for introducing kids or newbies to game bird hunting - they are plentiful and can be jump shot or driven.  

Quail are doing well in certain parts of the region, including in some of the riverbeds of the larger rivers where there is adequate cover and feed. 

There are also good coveys building up on private land, but obviously getting access requires a bit of door-knocking.  

We have negotiated access to several commercial forestry blocks where there are good upland game bird numbers (including pheasant), and there is reasonable pheasant hunting in parts of the lower/mid Rangitikei River too. 

To find out more, check out the information on our website, or get in touch with us at the office.

Warm Barrels

Hamish Carnachan, Fish & Game Officer/Senior Communications Officer Wellington Fish and Game council