Otago > Hunting

FISH & GAME NZ WILD GAME BIRD FOOD FESTIVAL 2008

Take hunting mallards on large shallow coastal wetlands, add a wild Canada goose chase around braided high country riverbeds and throw in a little upland game upon briar-rose strewn Central Otago hills for good measure. Mix well for a season that can last for 11 months (if you're a dedicated goose chaser) and you have Otago Region's veritable smorgasbord of game bird hunting.

Of course there is pond and riverbank hunting, small stream stalking and evening shooting over grain crops as well. Otago pretty much has it all when it comes to game bird hunting opportunity, all you have to do is get a licence and get out there.

Lakes Waihola and Waipori are two large coastal lakes set in a wetland complex including the renowned Sinclair Wetlands. The lakes and much of the wetland complex is publicly owned and therefore open to shooters to claim a hunting possie. After the opening weekend rush there is always a vacant mai mai to hunt from and some good bags are taken right through the season. The same can be said for Lake Tuakitoto a little further south and the lower Clutha and Taieri Rivers.

Upland game hunting for Californian quail is generally done on private property, mostly high country sheep stations in the drier parts of Central Otago including the Earnscleugh, Omakau, Bannock Burn, Ida, Patearoa and Tarras areas to name a few. Permission from landowners is required before hunting, but using a polite approach, hunters are seldom denied access and may even be given a few pointers.

Canada geese are concentrated into several areas and can be hunted every month other than April. The most popular times to hunt are in winter, early spring and late summer. Central Otago and the Southern lakes area are the best locations, just call our Dunedin or Cromwell office for up to date locations of goose populations and we can even hire out decoys to bring 'em in.