Hawkes Bay Game Bird Regulation Recommendations

Invitation for feedback on Hawkes Bay Fish and Game Council’s Proposed 2025 Game Bird Season conditions.

At the 10 December 2024 Hawkes Bay Fish and Game Council Meeting, The Council discussed and voted to propose the following Game Season conditions for the 2025 season.

 

There are 2 Proposed changes to the regulations that were in force for the 2024 gamebird season, all other season conditions are proposed to stay the same.

Council invites feedback on the proposed 2025 Game Season Conditions.

 

Proposed Changes

A/ black swan Daily Bag Limit – to change from 3 to 5.

Reasoning – Hawkes Bay uses a threshold matrix for setting Black Swan daily bag limits based on total count and population trend, annual aerial trend counts have shown an increase in Black Swan numbers over the last 3 years, suggesting a more relaxed bag limit is appropriate.

B/ Shooting Hours – to change from 6.00pm to 6.15pm end of shooting.

We have received feedback from shooters asking for a later finish than 6.00pm that applied for the 2024 season, many were concerned that 6.00pm was too early and limited opportunity, as many ducks were just starting to fly when they had to finish shooting; based on this feedback the council proposes an end to shooting time of 6.15 pm for the coming season.

 

We request any feedback be submitted by 5 January 2025 by emailing [email protected]

We acknowledge that this is a relatively short timeframe but require feedback prior to the Council’s January meeting so the draft Game Season Notice for Hawkes Bay can be returned to our national office by 24 January to be collated and forwarded to DOC by 3 February.   

 

Proposed Season conditions for 2025 game season

SECOND SCHEDULE:

HAWKE’S BAY FISH AND GAME REGION 

Game That May be Hunted or Killed—Duration of 2025 Season

Species	Season Duration (dates inclusive)	Daily Bag Limit	Hunting Area
mallard/grey duck Rakiraki, Pārera	3 May to 29 June 2025	8	All areas
NZ shoveler duck Kuruwhengi	3 May to 29 June 2025	2	All areas
paradise shelduck Pūtangitangi	3 May to 29 June 2025	8	All areas
pukeko Pūkeko	3 May to 31Aug 2025	10	All areas
black swan Kakīānau	3 May to 29 June 2025	5*NB1	All areas
brown quail  kuera	Closed season	0	All areas
california quail koera	3 May to 31 Aug 2025	10	All areas
Cock Pheasant peihana	3 May to 31 Aug 2025	2	All areas

2. Shooting Hours

     6.15 am to 6.15 pm. *NB2

 

*NB1, Proposed change from 3 to 5 daily Bag Limit.

*NB2, Close of shooting time – proposed change from 6.00 pm to 6.15pm.

NB3. Aerial paradise shelduck and black swan counts will be completed in early 2025 and a significant change in population health may alter their proposed season conditions.