Braided rivers are all down the North Canterbury Region and offer great hunting opportunities.

The Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau Rivers are also popular hunting locations. Many of these rivers have large tidal lagoons which provide good hunting opportunities. Further upriver ducks and geese can be targeted using traditional decoy setups in open water areas. Good duck shooting is also available in places by flush shooting small springs and ponds, which are often found on the margins of major riverbeds. Licensed game bird hunters are able to hunt in most of the North Canterbury braided riverbeds except parts where they lie close to population centres. In some places "No Shooting" signs are in place but the Canterbury Regional Council has assured Fish & Game staff that this relates to rabbit shooters only. Hunters need to be aware of the rabbit poisoning operations in Canterbury riverbeds. While poison operations are of little threat to humans or to the safe consumption of any game birds killed, it is of concern to hunters' dogs which are very susceptible to 1080 poison. Any area which has been subject to recent poison operations will be signposted at all public access points. Hunters are advised to keep their dogs away from such areas until the following spring.