Hawke's Bay Both Barrels June 2019

Still plenty of time to get outside and hunt game birds

Although most people put away their shotgun for another year after the duck season, there is still plenty of game bird hunting opportunities in the Hawke’s Bay region.

Pheasant, California quail and pukeko seasons continue until the 25^th of August.

There are good populations of these birds throughout the region.

Pheasants and California Quail are found along the willow banks of the rivers and prefer areas with a mix of heavy cover, bare ground and sunny locations.

Above Right: "Upland game hunting allows Hawke’s Bay game bird hunters to extend their hunting season”

Best times to hunt are usually mid-morning and late afternoons when birds are actively foraging.

Hawke’s Bay Fish & Game encourages hunters to take advantage of the long pheasant and quail season.

Think about training up a good dog to get the most out of your hunting season.

Time to start planting around your pond or wetland

With the duck season over, it is time to think about providing habitat for waterfowl to ensure waterfowl populations stay healthy.

What should you plant?

Quality nesting habitat is limiting through much of Hawke's Bay.

We encourage hunters to plant buffers around their ponds and wetlands with areas of thick vegetation that will provide quality nesting habitat.

Planting sedge species provide good nesting cover and also food for waterfowl.

We recommend planting the following:

Baumea articulate (Jointed rush), Carex secta (Purei), Carex virgate (Pukio), Cyperus ustalatus (Giant Umbrella sedge), Eleocharis acuta (Kuta), Juncus pallidus (Giant rush), Coprosma propinqua (Mingimingi), Cordyline australis (Cabbage Tree), Dacrycarpus dacridoides (Kahikatea), Kunzea ericoides (Kanuka), Leptospernum scoparium (Manuka), and Plagianthus regius (Lowland ribbonwood)

Here at Hawke’s Bay Fish and Game, we are cultivating native wetland plants in our nursery.

So far this season, we have given over 1000 plants to landowners undertaking wetland restoration/development projects.

If you are interested in developing your own wetland habitat, give the Hawkes Bay office a call and see how we can help.

Jesse Friedlander, Hawkes Bay Fish & Game Manager