Both Barrels April 2022

Take a Mate Hunting:

For only $4: 2022 Game bird licence holders can take a mate hunting who has not purchased a game bird licence within the last THREE years.

Hunting for the mate will be permitted on opening weekend ONLY for $4.00 which is the cost of the habitat stamp.

The ‘mates licence’ must be purchased through the Northland Fish and Game office in Whangarei.

Email: northland@fishandgame.org.nzPhone: 09 4384135

The recipient of the mate's licence must be accompanied by an adult whole season licence holder and it only applies within the Northland Fish and Game region.

The mate must comply with the game bird hunting regulations.

Permits:

Forestry and casual wetland permits are available by contacting the office on Email: northland@fishandgame.org.nzPhone: 09 4384135

What to expect this season:

Paradise shelduck numbers have increased slightly from our last trend counts. Numbers are abundant in the lower Northland area.

Swan numbers have increased especially around the Lake Omapere/Mid North area.

Hopefully, with the rain over the late summer period, the birds will have dispersed themselves.

Regulation Changes:

Please make yourself familiar with the 2022 regulation guide.

Season Lengths:

Our season runs from opening weekend to 3 July 2022 for greys, mallards and shoveler ducks.

Paradise shelducks and swans can be hunted up until 31 July 2022

California quail, brown quail, cock pheasants and pukeko can be hunted out to 28 August 2022.

The paradise shelduck special weekend is for nine days from 18 February 2023 until 26 February 2023. Swan and pukekos can also be hunted during this time.

Bag limits:

No limit changes this year.

Swan 20 birds per day

Paradise shelducks 20 birds per day

NZ shoveler 3 birds per day

Grey/mallard 12 birds per day

California quail and brown quail 10 birds per day

Cock pheasant 5 birds per day

Warm Barrels,

Graham Gallaghan, Northland Fish & Game Officer.