Balloted Wetlands Gate Restrictions 2021 Hunting Season

Hunters entering the below and other Fish & Game managed wetlands require both a game bird hunting licence and a hunting permit issued by Fish & Game/ DOC. Ballot holders have exclusive use of their stand for opening weekend, and the following week concluding Sunday 9^th  May. Thereafter any permitted hunter may access the wetland to hunt. Access is via vehicle (where authorised), quad / mule, or by walking. All game bird hunting in balloted wetlands ceases PM Sunday 30^th May 2021.

Awaiti -  main gate unlocked AM Friday 30^th April – main gate will be relocked at the conclusion of the exclusive ballot holder period PM Sunday 9^th  May. Quad / mule gate will be open for mallard season – closed PM Sunday 30^th May. The two gates beside Looney’s driveway will be locked at all times.

Awakaponga - gate locked all season, walking access only

Kaituna -  main car park gates and western access gate will be unlocked AM Friday 30^th April – main gates and western access gate will be relocked at the conclusion of the exclusive ballot holder period PM Sunday 9^th  May. Signage will show ‘no vehicle access tracks’ and ‘designated parking areas’ – please comply! Quad / mule gates will be open for mallard season – closed PM Sunday 30^th May. The main gates and western access gate will be unlocked for the last weekend of the mallard season for the recovery of gear – open PM Friday 28^th  May and closed PM Sunday 30^th May.

Lake Tamurenui -  main access track gate will be unlocked AM Friday 30^th April – gate relocked PM Monday 3^rd May . The mountain bike track will be closed to bikers from 19th April and reopened 1^st  June.

Ohaaki -  main gate unlocked AM Friday 30^th April – main gate relocked PM Monday 3^rd  May.

Orotu -  main road gate is to be locked at all times. Vehicle access keys may be obtained by contacting the landowner as shown in the reserve access details.

Thornton -  main access gate will be unlocked AM Friday 30^th April – main access gate will be relocked PM Sunday 30^th May.

All other managed wetland reserves have vehicle access for the duration of the mallard hunting season (1st May – 30^th May). However please note that some require landowner consultation as per reserve access details. Where possible it is preferable that vehicles are parked outside the reserve and walking access is taken to reduce disturbance.