Northland Both Barrels April 2019

Northland offers hunting variety

With three months of below average rainfall, many ponds are dry or drying up throughout the region.

Temperatures are forecast to be above average and rainfall is at average levels (whatever they are!).

Hopefully we’ll soon see some significant rain to refill the ponds and rejuvenate our wetlands.

The recent trend counts carried out in late January indicate that game bird numbers are increasing, albeit slowly in Northland.

Swans are concentrated in the Kaipara Harbour and paradise shelduck are concentrated around oxidation ponds, chicory and new grass paddocks.

Unique opportunities

For the game bird hunting enthusiast, Northland’s unique in its game bird hunting opportunities.

Successful parrie harvest .

Very few parts of New Zealand have the variety of game bird hunting that the region offers.

Hunters can shoot waterfowl in the morning and without travelling far can be shooting quail and pheasants later in the day.

Along with their own properties, Northland Fish & Game staff have negotiated access to forestry blocks, DOC-managed properties, and a Landcorp farm.

Permits and maps can be obtained from Northland Fish & Game and all DOC permits from the local offices.

DOC office locations:

Whangarei – 09-470 3300

Dargaville Office – 09-439 3450

Kerikeri – 09-407 0300

Kaitaia – 09-408 6014

From time to time, hunting stands become available at the Fish & Game managed Bisset, Flaxmill and Kawakawa wetlands.

Please contact the office about these opportunities.

Fish & Game staff are currently developing two more properties for game bird hunting in Dargaville and Tangiteroria.

Close to Whangarei, the Wairua Wildlife Management Reserve has hunting stands available.

Far North

Other opportunities in the Far North include Landcorp Rangiputa Farm which has large numbers of geese coming onto the paddocks.

Swans and parries are concentrated on the Waimango Wetland.

An induction process must be completed with the manager; please contact John Macpherson on 021-858 423 to gain a permit and organise access.

Summit Forest Ltd manages the Te Hiku Forest which has long been regarded as a premium spot for pheasant and quail.

Please buy a permit from the regional office, McCoy & Thomas in Kaitaia or Riders Sports Depot also in Kaitaia.

Te Paki

Te Paki Farm offers opportunities to hunt geese and Parries on its lands. Contact John 021-858423 at the Far North Office if you need a permit for the farm.

The Te Werahi Wetland is closed due to the Gypsy wort plant around its shores (this year's spraying has just been completed).

As with all hunting it is a privilege, please ask permission first and be respectful to the land owner.

Don’t forget to buy your 2019 Game Bird Hunting Licence.

A good resource is the Walking Access website: www.walkingaccess.govt.nz

It provides information on tracks, trails and walkways, including the latest track conditions.

Interactive maps show access, walking times and distances and other information.

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