Both Barrels June 2024 - Northland

The rains have arrived

As of mid-June some decent rainfall has finally arrived. Some puddling and surface flooding has occurred in the paddocks, and ponds and wetlands will now likely have some water in them if they didn’t already. This change in conditions will trigger a shift in duck behaviour as they break routine and look to capitalise on the protein-rich food sources that become available in newly wetted areas.

Picture above: The result of a hunt on some flooded public land in Northland

Ducks love a feed of worms above all else so if you have access to areas of pasture, now is the time to get out and have a look for wet areas. It doesn’t need to be much – ankle deep water to a duck will still bring out the worms and grubs. Look for puddles and spongy areas with the tell-tale sign of duck feathers. This will tell you that ducks are probably spending the nights there. This is a great time to be doing evening hunts after work. If you have gotten the spot right it can be a convenient way to pick up a couple of birds in the last hour of daylight, no need for big decoy spreads. Keep up a frequent but quiet chatter on the caller as the light dims, it will help bring trafficking birds your way that you wouldn’t see otherwise.

Don’t forsake the usual spots as well at this time of year as ducks will still return to their roosts on harbours and rivers to loaf the day away before heading back to their foraging areas in the evenings. At the time of writing, it looks like the rainy spells are set to continue so make the most of the last two weekends of the season, get out there and harvest some plump ducks for your winter roasts.

Sunday 30 Jun is that last day of the 2024 season for mallard, grey and shoveler duck but there’s no need to hang up the gun. Paradise shelduck and black swan are available until 28 July 2024, and pukeko and the upland birds are available until 25^th August 2024.

Compliance

Ten firearms were seized off hunters breaching the wildlife regulations. A number of offence notices were handed out. It is unfortunate that a small number tarnish the rest of the gamebird hunting community by not following the rules. 

Hunter Surveys and Game Returns

We will be conducting regular hunter surveys throughout the season. Staff will call a number of Northland gamebird license holders and ask them series of harvest related questions.

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 subsequent seasons.

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.

Upland Game Hunting

Northland Fish and Game have negotiated access to thousands of hectares of production pine forests. These forests are spread throughout Northland give the fit upland game hunter access to large areas of un-hunted ground. The forestry companies provide maps that show age classes of the trees so areas can be selected where suitable habitat and food is available. 

 

Northland Fish and Game Wetlands

Casual wetland permits are now available. These permits give the hunter the opportunity to sample some hunting on the properties owned and managed by Northland Fish and Game. These include:

• Bisset Wetland (Carruth Road)
• Greenheart (Bob Taylor Road)
• Underwood Wetland (Hoanga Road)
• Kawakawa Wetland (Station Road)
• Borrow Cut (Jordon Valley Road)

Forestry and casual wetland permits are available by contacting the office by email: northland@fishandgame.org.nz, phone: 09 4384135, or following the link below.

 

Key Season Dates:  

Our season runs from opening weekend to 30 June 2024 for greys, mallards and shoveler ducks.

Paradise shelducks and swans can be hunted up until 28 July 2024

California quail, brown quail, cock pheasants and pukeko can be hunted out to 25 August 2024.

The paradise shelduck special weekend is for nine days from 15 February 2025 until 23 February 2025. Swan and pukekos can also be hunted during this time.

Bag limits:

• Grey/mallard 12 birds per day
• NZ shoveler 3 birds per day
• Paradise shelducks 20 birds per day
• Swan 20 birds per day
• Pukeko 12 birds per day
• California quail and brown quail 10 birds per day
• Cock pheasant 5 birds per day

Duck bands

If you have shot a duck with a band please fill in the online form found here.

You can also ring the free phone number 0800 BIRD BAND (0800-247322). You can keep the band for your lanyard, we just need to obtain a few details.