Wainono Wetland Reserve Access

At the current time there is no vehicle access across Poingdestres Bridge to Wainono Wetland. We are awaiting communication on whether there will be vehicle access on Opening Weekend of gamebird hunting season. When entering the ballot, please keep in mind the possibility that access will not be restored in time for Opening Weekend.

Opening Weekend Ballot Conditions

Hunting stands:  The allocation of hunting stands for opening weekend in the Central South Island Fish and Game Council (CSIFGC) Region shall be via balloting with the following conditions:

General Policy

  1. The allocation of hunting stands for opening weekend shall be subject to annual application by post (PO Box 150, Temuka 7948), by email ([email protected]) or by phone (03) 615 8400 from the 1st February.

  2. Ballot applications will close on the 1st March and be drawn on the next available working day.

  3. Ballot winners shall be notified within five working days of the ballot draw.

  4. Stand sites shall be as follows:
    1. Wainono Reserve – Up to 9 stands (1-9)
    2. Devils Bridge – Up to 3 stands (1-3)
    3. All Day Bay – Up to 3 stands (A, B, C)
    4. Ealing Springs – 1 stand

  5. In recognition of the contribution made to Devils Bridge wetland development by the landowner, the late Trevor Meikle, one ballot site will be provided to the Meikle Family to use as they wish. This site is in the upper wetland on the north east shore.

  6. Applications for all sites shall be accepted at the Chief Executive of the CSIFGC’s discretion.

  7. All hunters on CSIFGC managed wetlands must hold a current CSIFGC permit.

Ballot Conditions
  1. The ballot shall be conducted in the following order:
    a) First ballot - Ealing Springs
    b) Second ballot – Wainono Reserve, Devils Bridge and All Day Bay wetlands
  2. The successful applicant and three party members for Ealing Springs must all be the holders of valid full season Game licences issued by the CSIFGC.
  3. The successful applicants on Devils Bridge, All Day Bay and Wainono Reserve wetlands must be the holder of valid full season Game licences issued by the CSIFGC. Note: For party members a CSIFGC Game licence is preferred but not a requirement.

  4. Ballot winners must provide CSIFGC those licence numbers as specified in conditions 2 and 3 prior to the 1st April.

  5. Duplicated names as the applicant or party members will not be accepted for the ballot and the applicant will be notified.

  6. At the conclusion of the ballot draw any unallocated stands shall be made available to any unsuccessful applicants first.

  7. Stands still available may then be offered to any licenced hunter who enquires. Note: A CSIFGC Game licence is preferable but not a requirement.

  8. The position and number of stands shall be subject to review.
  9. Ealing Springs ballot winner and party members shall not be eligible to apply for an Ealing Springs ballot for the next hunting season but may apply in subsequent seasons.
Stand Occupancy Conditions
  1. Ballot winners may be required to attend a pre-season meeting.
  2. Stand sites shall be marked by a peg.
  3. Devils Bridge Wetland is situated on private property.  Ballot winners are required to make personal contact with the Meikle family representative prior to constructing stands.  Normal access courtesy applies.  Contact for Meikle Family: Aaron Meikle, Phone 0274989703, [email protected]
  4. Marked peg must be enclosed within any constructed stand.
  5. Hunting stands are expected to be occupied by the ballot winner on each day of opening weekend. Ballot winners must hunt their stand for the first three hours of shooting light on opening day.
  6. Ballot winners must complete a stand diary for the hunting season.  This diary to be provided by, and returned to the Chief Executive, CSIFGC.
Ealing Springs
  1. Prior contact with Andrew Morris 021 285 4202 or 03 3037606 for access is required.
  2. For any dog intended to be taken into the reserve, current vaccination and registration details must be provided with the application.
Devils Bridge
  1. Prior contact with Trust representative Aaron Meikle is required 0274 989 703 or [email protected]
  2. During opening weekend hunting stands may be occupied by no more than two (2) persons, one of whom must be the ballot winner for that stand site.
Wainono Reserve and All Day Bay
  1. During opening weekend hunting stands may be occupied by no more than two (2) persons, one of whom must be the ballot winner for that stand site. Rest of game bird season, no restriction.
General Conditions
  1. Use of powered boats is not permitted.
  2. It is not permissible to use lead shot for waterfowl hunting on any CSIFGC managed wetlands excepting .410g.
  3. No vegetation is to be cut, felled or removed from within the managed wetland area.
  4. Where no stand is provided, any hunting stands must be constructed of natural materials.
  5. Other than opening weekend, any stand not occupied may be occupied by any permitted hunter on a first in, first served basis.
  6. Any maimais present must not be altered without express permission from CSIFGC excepting the addition of vegetation for camouflage. Noxious weeds e.g. broom and gorse are not to be used.
  7. Hunting or shooting from any area other than a marked stand during opening weekend is prohibited.
  8. Hunting stands are not to be below ground level or require excavation of surface material.
  9. All rubbish and harvested birds must be removed on each occasion stand is occupied.
  10. All temporary stands must be removed or left tidy at the end of the hunting season. This condition is imposed to be compatible with the sound management and aesthetic appreciation of the wetlands.
  11. Any reasonable health and safety instructions given by CSIFGC or landowners where applicable must be followed.
  12. In consideration of being given permission to enter CSIFGC managed land, the permit holder does so at entirely their own risk.

Failure to comply with any of the above conditions may result in the declining of future applications at the Chief Executive of the CSIFGC’s discretion.