Both Barrels June 2022

Forestry permits and upland game

We are very fortunate to have access to many forestry blocks throughout Northland covering thousands of hectares.

Northland Forest Managers, Rayonier/Matariki Forests and Hancock forests allow access for upland game hunting.

Permits cost $50 which includes high-quality access maps and public liability insurance.

Hunting is usually restricted to the weekends and the season finishes on the 28^thof August 2022.

Please make use of this underutilised resource. Please email the office at [email protected]

Casual permits

Are you looking for a place to hunt in the second half of the season?

All of Northland Fish and Games’ wetlands are now available for casual shooters.

You will require a permit from the Northland office and a valid game bird licence.

Wetlands available include Borrow Cut wetland, Jack Bisset, Flaxmill, Greenheart, Kawakawa and the Underwood block.

Important dates for the NORTHLAND Region:

The mallard, grey and shoveler season closes on 3 July.

The paradise shelduck and swan season closes on 31 July

The pukeko, quail and pheasant season closes on 28 August.

Upcoming events:

We have a planting day planned for late July/early August at the Underwood wetland development.

Please register your interest at the office.

This will see the riparian area of the second stage planted out and will complete stage two of the project.

The plants have been funded by the Game Bird Habitat Trust and the Kaipara Moana Remediation Programme.

Date: TBC

Harvest results and game returns

If you have hunted on any Fish & Game wetland or forestry block please remember to fill out a game bird return and send it to the office.

We will also be conducting more hunter surveys throughout the season.

We collate the results to calculate how many birds were taken over the game season and in conjunction with the trend counts use this to determine bag limits and season lengths for next year.

Duck bands

If you have shot a bird with a band please fill in the online form found at: https://fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/banding-form/

You can also ring the free phone number 0800 BIRD BAND (0800-247322).

In conjunction with the Auckland/Waikato region we band birds at two sites on the Kaipara harbour. These are at Parakai and Wellsford. This data provides valuable information regarding the distribution, movement and survival rates of game birds.

Day licences

Day licences are now available.

They allow hunting for a 24-hour period that must be specified and costs $23.

This is a great way to introduce a new person to game bird hunting.

Take a friend along and get them involved.

Hot Barrels,

Graham Gallaghan, Northland Fish & Game