Both Barrels July 2024 - Southland

Post season wrap-up

The opening weekend of 2024 revealed varied levels of success among hunters, but the entire season has been notably rewarding for those who remained consistently active, largely owing to the exceptional condition of our mallards.

In the first month of the season, our hunter harvest surveys indicated some good levels of participation, with approximately 30% of Southland hunters engaging in fortnightly hunts.

However, as June progressed, there was a noticeable decline in hunter activity, with only around 10% of hunters venturing out each fortnight.  

It was encouraging to see an uptick in participation towards the end of the season, as hunters took advantage of the closing weekend.

For those hunters who maximized their season, we commend your efforts and hope you have enjoyed many rewarding hunts.

An enjoyable and successful late-season river hunt

Southland's Mallards in Prime Condition for Breeding Season

In Southland, the breeding season for mature mallard hens typically begins at the end of July, and this year, pre-breeding season conditions have been ideal.

The ample surface water availability throughout June created abundant feeding opportunities, resulting in mallards in fantastic condition, as hunters have likely noticed.

This bodes well for the upcoming breeding season because there is a strong relationship between mallard hen condition (weight) and several important breeding outcomes.

Better-conditioned females tend to nest earlier, renest more frequently, and have larger clutch sizes.

Early nesting has been linked to higher duckling survival rates, and having more time to renest is crucial if a nest is lost to predation.

Larger clutch sizes mean more ducklings, which has obvious benefits in terms of the mallard population going into next season.

Additionally, it is also well established that there is a positive relationship between hen condition and egg volume; larger hens lay larger eggs, and larger eggs have a higher hatch rate.

The excellent condition of our mallard hens as they enter the breeding season will set a solid foundation for opening weekend success next year.

With mallard hens in great condition, we have the foundations for a great breeding season. Left a mallard hen on a nest, right a large clutch of mallard eggs.

Easy BBQ mallard legs

The legs of harvested mallards often don't receive the recognition they deserve and are often overshadowed by the breast meat. However, duck legs often contain a significant amount of fat, which translates into rich and flavourful meat. Slow-cooking duck legs before grilling them on the BBQ is an excellent way to achieve tender meat with a charred skin. This method enhances both the flavour and texture of the duck legs, making them a great addition to any BBQ spread.

Ingredients:

• 8+ wild duck legs
• 1 cup of stock
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for grilling
• 1 packet/bottle of your favourite BBQ sauce
• Chives or sesame seeds to garnish

Instructions:

1. Season the duck legs with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika prior to adding them to the slow cooker with the stock. You can add a little of the BBQ sauce or Worchester sauce to the slow cooker as well. 
2. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the duck legs are tender and the meat is almost falling off the bone. If you can, adjust position of the legs in the slow cooker every couple of hours.
3. Remove the duck legs from the slow cooker.
4. Pre-heat the grill and add some oil prior to putting the legs on the grill.  
5. Place the duck legs on the preheated grill and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the skin is crispy and has a nice char.
6. Baste the duck legs with BBQ sauce while grilling and leave on the grill for 2 minutes.
7. Add chives or sesame seeds for garnish.
8. Serve with your favourite BBQ sides.

BBQ duck legs are delicious