Both Barrels July 2021

We hope everyone who was able managed to get out at least once more throughout the 2021 season.

Upland Gamehunting options

Upland game season is still underway – make the most of your licence and pursue some upland game!

There are not many quail in Southland so you will have to find a possie across the border in Central Otago.

Although from my Opening experience this year and from what I have heard from other hunters chasing quail is that they seem to be a bit fewer and further between this year.

However, they are still a lot of fun to pursue walking around those hills with a keen dog!

Above Right:A happy dog with a pair of mallards on a cold and frosty morning!

Game bird Harvest Surveys

Southland Fish and Game would like to extend a massive thank you to all the randomly selected game bird hunters that we phoned and spoke to throughout the season.

Answering our questions gives us invaluable insight into not only the waterfowl harvest in Southland but also the hunter effort.

I will not yet have the final tally available to me by the time this goes to press but will get this information out in due course.

The general consensus from hunters spoken to at the end of the season was that there were still plenty of mallards around, and plans were already underway for next May.

While many ducks from the maimai were only spotted flying high, there were plenty seen while driving home spending time out in the puddles on paddocks feeding up and getting ready for the breeding season.

Warm Barrels

Erin Garrick, Southland Fish & Game Officer.