Hunting NZ > Uplands Gamebirds

Uplands Gamebirds

Early European settlers introduced 25 different species of waterfowl and 29 species of upland gamebirds for hunting. Only four species of waterfowl established and of the upland gamebirds, only Californian quail, brown quail, chukor and pheasant remain in huntable populations.

Pheasant

The first English pheasants arrived in Wellington in 1842 and further liberations resulted in the bird being abundant in both islands by 1870. The pheasant population then plunged into a remarkable decline, from which it has never recovered, due to eating poisoned grain used for rabbit eradication followed by the release of stoats and weasels to quell the rabbit plague.

However, there are still enough pheasants for hunting, assisted in some areas by annual releases of hand reared stock. The pheasant could almost be called a North Island species with its stronghold in the warmer climate of the far north. In the South Island pheasants are limited to the Nelson area and some coastal riverbeds and a few other isolated habitats in Canterbury.

Pheasants are found in a variety of habitats but mostly in open farmland near rough scrub, hedges or trees that provide essential escape cover. They feed on a wide range of berries, seeds and other vegetation. Cock pheasants are polygamous and mate with several hens. Nesting usually begins in September and may continue through to January. Six to 14 eggs are laid in a hollow in the ground located in thick cover.

Only cock pheasants can be hunted. The North Island season begins in May and continues throughout August. In some regions the season is a month shorter and in the South Island pheasant shooting may only be permitted for a single day.

Californian Quail

The native New Zealand quail was uncommon during early European settlement in New Zealand and considered extinct by about 1870. Californian quail were introduced to Nelson in 1865. Other provinces followed and populations expanded so rapidly that, in 1890, thousands of Californian quail were canned or frozen and exported from Nelson to London.

Later, the release of stoats and weasels for rabbit control took its inevitable toll and in some locations where quail were formerly numerous they disappeared completely.

However, quail are still the most common of the introduced upland gamebirds and are found in both islands. In much of the North Island quail habitats overlap those of the pheasant. In the South Island, quail are found in all regions but there are fewer in Westland and coastal Southland.

Unlike pheasants, quail are gregarious and live together in coveys of between 10 and 100 with exceptional coveys of up to 400 birds being reported. Coveys break up into breeding pairs in late winter and the first eggs appear in late September. Nesting may continue through to February. The nest is concealed in thick cover on the ground and up to 20 eggs may be laid. After hatching the chicks are very active and are able to fly at three weeks.

The hunting season in most regions begins in May and continues until the end of August.

Bobwhite Quail

The least common of New Zealand upland gamebirds, the bobwhite was released from Auckland to Southland in 1898 and 1899. Today their range is much reduced but small numbers of birds persist in South Auckland and Northern Hawkes Bay. The populations of bobwhites are augmented with releases of hand reared birds by enthusiastic aviculturalists.

Chukor

A late arrival to New Zealand the chukor was first introduced from India in 1926 and later into Marlborough from Iranian stock. The two forms are now presumably well hybridised. As recently as 1987 chukor have been released in Fish & Game New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay region where they are still completely protected.

Primarily a South Island species, the chukor is at home on high, semi arid shale and rocky slopes, interspersed with areas of low tussock and scattered sub alpine vegetation. Found at altitudes of up to 2,000 metres on slopes east of the main divide, chukor populations extend from Marlborough to Otago.

Chukor pair up and begin nesting in September. Clutches are usually large with 10 to 18 eggs produced but despite this the chukor population is in decline. In those districts where they may still be hunted the season begins in May and continues until the end of August.

For more information contact your local Fish & Game office or the New Zealand Council on (04) 499 4767 or fax (04) 499 4768.