Both Barrels June 2020

Need a place to hunt?

Are you looking for a place to hunt in the second half of the season?

All of Northland Fish and Games’ wetlands are now available for casual shooters.

You will require a permit from the Northland office and have a valid game bird licence.

Email: northland@fishandgame.org.nz or call09-438 4135

What blocks are available?

The recent rains have filled up the Borrow Cut wetland (pictured right).

Located on Jordon Valley Road, Hikurangi, this small wetland provides great hunting at times.

It is located reasonably close to town and there is vehicle access so a short afternoon hunt is definitely possible.

Typically you will only need a few decoys and a couple of flappers for movement to attract birds into these ponds.

There are three maimais available to shoot from plus other sites where a temporary hide can be utilised.

The Wairua Wildlife Management Reserve is close by, a permit from DOC is required to hunt here.

Access is off Swamp Road and there are numerous ponds to shoot from.

Additionally casual hunting permits can be obtained for the Jack Bisset, Flaxmill, Greenheart and Kawakawa Wetlands

Duck bands

If you have shot a bird with a band please fill in the online form found at: https://fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/banding-form/

You can also ring the free phone number 0800 BIRD BAND (0800-247322).

In conjunction with the Auckland/Waikato region we band birds at two sites on the Kaipara harbour.

These are at Parakai and Wellsford, this data provides valuable information regarding the distribution, movement and survival rates of game birds.

Send in your duck band details by the 31^st August and you can win not only a top-quality duck hunting jacket, but a six-pack of decoys.

Each prize pack is worth nearly $570 in total – containing a Banded White River duck hunting jacket, plus a six-pack of the latest Avery GHG XD (Extra Detail) Floating Mallard Decoys.

Field officer John Macpherson

Hunter surveys

Our annual hunter surveys occur throughout the season.

The data we collect helps us paint a picture of how much hunting pressure there is on the game bird resource.

This enables us to set sustainable regulations and bag limits.

Phone surveys are carried out on a fortnightly basis throughout the waterfowl season.

If you receive a phone call to undergo a hunter survey please be respectful and obliging.

Day licences

Day licences are now available, they allow hunting for a 24 hour period that must be specified and costs $23.

This is a great way to introduce a new person to game bird hunting.

Take a friend along and get them involved.

Hot Barrels

Graham Gallaghan, Northland Fish & Game Officer