Both Barrels July 2024 - Otago

Out for a duck

This weekend is the final opportunity to hunt mallard and shoveler in the Otago. The mallard season ends on Sunday, July 28. Why not take a mate and the dog out for a hunt?

Above: Ian Hadland (left) and Ben Sowry bagged some late-season mallard this month. These mallards shot over water had come off paddocks earlier and been feeding on worms. Photo: Bruce Quirey

As mallards start to pair up, here are a few tips for your final weekend:

• Mallards will be in smaller groups or pairs.
• You will need only a few decoy pairs.
• Lone drakes looking for partners can be easily called in.
• Focus on small ponds, streams, creeks and ditches.
• Avoid disturbing pre-brooding birds on your mai-mai pond.

Learn how to cook the perfect duck breast – and more recipes – with Ben Sowry on ‘Pond to Plate’ on the Otago Fish & Game Council Facebook page.

Get cooking

Most hunters’ freezers will have a few ducks by now. But after a rush of early enthusiasm, it’s easy to forget about them. This season Fish & Game officer Ben Sowry has made a 12-part series of “Pond to Plate” game bird cooking videos, which you can watch on the Otago Fish & Game Council Facebook page. The final episode lands this Wednesday.

• Perfect Mallard Breast
• Swantons
• Parry Prosciutto
• Smoked Duck
• Otago-Inspired Quail
• Sweet and Sour Duck
• Chinese-Style Duck Pancakes
• Duck Wonton Soup
• Duck Ravioli
• Duck Meatloaf
• Devilled Duck Hearts
• Pheasant and Creamed Mushrooms 

Paradise shelduck

Otago’s winter season for paradise shelduck continues until the last weekend in August.

Parries can be easier to hunt than wily mallards, making them a good opportunity to introduce someone to the sport. By sharing hunting with others, we can show them it is all about the harvest and ensure all hunters are able to hunt in the future.

 

Black swan

Black swan on Lake Waihola. Photo: Bruce Quirey

The Otago season for black swan is open until August 25. Swan can be hunted in Area B, which is the Clutha catchment downstream of the Clyde dam, and all coastal catchments between Shag Point and The Brothers Point in Otago. The daily bag limit is 10.

Hunting for swan is not permitted in Area A, which is the Clutha River catchment upstream of Clyde Dam.

Swan usually fly the same route to and from waterbodies at the beginning and end of day. Scouting and noting their flight paths will put you in the right place to hunt them passing at first and last light.

Swan meat is lean and well-suited for sausages or salami. They can also be tenderised and sliced for schnitzels and stir-fries or made into prosciutto.

Pukeko

Fish & Game is monitoring pukeko populations across Otago for their responsible management.

We have been monitoring pukeko populations at selected sites for decades. We want to hear of any sightings of pukeko groups numbering 10 birds or more.

Please contact Steve Dixon, [email protected]

Briar roses are common habitat for California quail in Central Otago. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Upland Game

California quail are the main quarry for upland game bird hunting in the dry hills of Central Otago. This year, hunters have reported a good breeding season and decent coveys. However, public land for quail hunting in Otago is scarce. Hunters are advised to talk to private landowners for access. It takes time and effort to build relationships. The clearing of briar roses has reduced quail habitat in some areas.

To prevent the spread of sheep measles, your dog must be dosed with a tapeworm drug containing Praziquantel at least 48 hours or within a month before going hunting.

Top quail-hunting tips:

• California quail prefer dry, scrubby habitat for food and shelter.
• They are most active on bright, warm days.
• Listen for their distinctive “chi-kaw-go” assembly call.
• A covey will often sit tightly in bushes before being flushed.
• When a covey is flushed, aim for an individual bird.
• Quail fly short distances and return to ground to re-group.
• A trained dog is necessary to locate, flush and retrieve quail.

Key dates

Otago game bird season closure dates:

• July 28 ─ grey/mallard/shoveler.
• August 25 ─ black swan (Area B) and paradise shelduck.
• August 25 ─ California quail, chukar, cock pheasant.

Paradise shelduck early autumn season:

• March 1-9, 2025

 

The Otago Fish & Game team