Both Barrels May 2020

Northland update

There has been some regulation changes this season. Below is a summary of the changes.

Please make yourself familiar with the updated regulation guide available online here.

Season Lengths:

Our season runs from opening weekend until 28^th June for greys, mallards and shoveler ducks.

Paradise shelducks and swans can be hunted up until 2 August.

California quail, brown quail, cock pheasants can be hunted out to the 23 August.

The paradise shelduck special weekend has been extended out for nine days from the 20 February 2021 until 28 February 2021. Swan and pukekos can also be hunted during this time.

There are no sub-regions anymore so cock pheasants can be hunted form opening until the 23^rd August throughout Northland.

Bag limit changes:

Swan bag limits increased to 20 birds per hunter per day

Paradise shelducks limit is now 20 birds per hunter per day for both the regular season and special season.

Take a Mate Hunting:

For only $4: 2020 Game bird licence holders can take a mate hunting who has not purchased a game bird licence within the last THREE years.

Hunting for the mate will be permitted on opening weekend ONLY for $4.00 which is the cost of the Game bird habitat stamp.

The “mates licence” must be purchased through the Northland Fish and Game office in Whangarei.

Email: northland@fishandgame.org.nz Phone: 09 4384135

The recipient of the mates licence must be accompanied by an adult whole season licence holder and it only applies within the Northland Fish and Game Region.

The mate must comply with the game bird hunting regulations.

Permits:

Forestry and wetland permit fees have been reduced for the casual hunter. Check out the regulation guide for more information.

Available stands:

We have had several stands become available in the Bisset, Flaxmill, Green Heart and Borrow cut wetlands.

These stands will be made available on a casual basis.

Please contact the office for more details.

What to expect this season:

Numbers of the various duck species are similar to previous years.

The birds are still congregating around water sources at as conditions are historically dry.  

Swans are increasing especially around the Lake Omapere area and the Far North.

The non-game species, Canadian geese are ever prevalent in the far north but numbers are increasing in the lower Northland region.

hot Barrels

Graham Gallaghan, Northland Fish and Game