You must carry your licence with you when hunting and present it if requested to by a Fish & Game Ranger.
The hunting season start date is always the first weekend of May.
2026 Game Bird Season Dates:
- 2026 Licences will go sale on 12th March 2026
- 29th March 2026 is Mark-up day
- 2nd May 2026 is opening day
- 11th May 2026, Day licences go on sale
Prices:
- Adult Whole Season $116
- Junior Whole Season $27
- Child Whole Season $5
- Adult Day $27 from 12th May 2025
- Junior Day $10 from 12th May 2025
All licences are inclusive of the $5 Game Bird Habitat stamp.
Checklist for new season
Get your must haves, get permission, sort out the maimai, check your gear.
Latest season and bag limits
You'll find the latest information on season length and game bird bag limits here.
Hunting rules - regions with magazine restrictions
Game bird hunters are restricted to the number of shots they can use in game bird hunting in six out of the twelve Fish & Game regions, as a measure introduced for “sound” conservation and sporting reasons.
Firearm regulation updates
On 1st February 2022, new firearms regulations came into effect.
Stake your claim to Maimai/stand
Game bird hunters - don't forget to stake your claim on your favourite maimai or duck shooting stand before the start of the new hunting season starting Saturday, 3 May, 2025.