'Both Barrels' Newsletter
Keep up-to-date with all the game bird hunting action, news, events and comment from across New Zealand by signing up to 'Both Barrels'- the official game bird hunting newsletter from Fish & Game New Zealand.
Why not check out some recent editions of our 'Both Barrels' newsletter here?
Fish & Game New Zealand believes that email is an important way to communicate regular news, important and timely updates and calls to action. Please help us ensure we can communicate directly with you by signing up for our newsletter(s) using the form below.
Privacy Policy: Your details will at all times be used only for the express purpose of Fish & Game New Zealand email communications and will never be disclosed to a third party.
Both Barrels July 2021
We hope everyone who was able managed to get out at least once more throughout the 2021 season.
Both Barrels June 2021
Time sure has flown as we already have just less than a month of waterfowl season to go – make sure you get out and make the most of it!
Both Barrels May 2021
Opening Weekend 2021 was another stunning, beautiful day perfect for barbecuing in the sun but not so much for the duck hunting.
Both Barrels April 2021
This season is looking like another fantastic one: overall the mallard count is very similar to our last aerial count completed in 2019, which was the highest count we have...
Both Barrels March 2021
With less than six weeks to go until the game bird season, we welcome our readers of Both Barrels for 2021, the place where we keep you up to date...
Both Barrels July 2020
During the day, mallards will often rest up underneath willows located on the margins of our rivers.
Both Barrels May 2020
From our Spring brood counts and ongoing wet Summer we have seen plenty of mallards, paradise shelduck and black swans getting around this season.
Special Lockdown Edition Both Barrels April 2020
Over the first two weeks of the lockdown, Fish & Game have been scenario planning around what form the game bird season might take.
Read more about 'Special Lockdown Edition Both Barrels April 2020'...
Southland Both Barrels July 2019
We hope everyone had a great end to their waterfowl season in Southland.
Southland Both Barrels May 2019
Results from our annual game bird harvest survey put our opening weekend harvest at 13.8 mallards per hunter.
Southland Both Barrels April 2019
The extra rain we received in November and December meant our later nesting mallards fared well to have a very productive and successful breeding season.
Both Barrels Special Edition March 2019
Welcome to the first edition of Both Barrels for the 2019 game bird hunting season.
Read more about 'Both Barrels Special Edition March 2019 '...
South Island Roundup - Both Barrels 2018
Ace game bird chef Phil Hazeldine presiding over a wild game feast.
Read more about 'South Island Roundup - Both Barrels 2018'...
Both Barrels August 2018
As the 2018 game bird season draws to a close, many hunters are reflecting on their success, saying it has been the best season they have experienced for a long time.
Southland Both Barrels July 2018
I am sure you've all noticed that the mallards are all pairing up and gearing for the upcoming breeding season.
Southland Both Barrels June 2018
We asked 121 game bird hunters over Opening Weekend what their thoughts were on regulations to encourage hunters to focus on 'green heads.'
Southland Both Barrels May 2018
Unfortunately the 2018 opening weekend will not go down as one of the best. In general, the number of mallards harvested was down in most areas.
Southland Both Barrels April 2018
Any wild population fluctuates around a mean. This is due to the natural fluctuation in environmental conditions and the impact of time lag on the response of a population.
Both Barrels Special Edition March 2018
Welcome to this special issue of Both Barrels
Read more about 'Both Barrels Special Edition March 2018'...
Both Barrels South Island Roundup
The waterfowl 2017 season has been and gone. We hope you managed to get out on a few hunting adventures this year and filled the freezer with enough duck to...
Both Barrels North Island Roundup
Heath Worsfold’s truck with a nice pheasant and a happy pup named Sneak.
Southland Both Barrels July 2017
There are only a few days left of the 2017 waterfowl season! Hopefully you've been out and experienced a few good hunts, and have the freezer stocked up with ducks...
Southland Both Barrels June 2017
With all the steady rain the region has been experiencing lately there will be plenty of puddles springing up for worm-gorging ducks!
Southland Both Barrels May 2017
I suppose it has become partly expected, but this years’ Opening Weekend mirrored many of Southlands' previous Openings with beautiful clear blue skies and barely a breath of wind.
Southland Both Barrels May 2016
Opening day is probably the only day of the year when I wake up and I’m upset by a lack of wind!
Auckland Waikato Both Barrels May 2016
The mallard, grey and shoveler seasons are now but a memory, and even parries and black swan are off limits with their seasons over.
Otago Both BarrelsMay 2016
For what must be the 10th year in a row, Otago hunters woke to clear calm conditions for the Opening Day.
Central South Island Both Barrels May 2016
Opening Weekend heralded fine and pleasant weather.
Read more about 'Central South Island Both Barrels May 2016'...
North Canterbury Both Barrels May 2016
With the game bird season well underway and the hype of opening day now past, it's time to reflect on hunting successes firstly, then focus on the great game bird...
West Coast Both Barrels May 2016
Large numbers of hunters turned out in the West Coast Region for Opening Weekend this year, both local hunters and many from other regions.
Both Barrels May 2016
Fish & Game had three ranging teams out in the field on Opening Day this year, concentrating on private land around Blenheim and Murchison.
Wellington Both Barrels May 2016
The weather was largely to blame for what can only be described as a patchy Opening Weekend, with very calm conditions in the Wairarapa and resultingly few birds moving around.
Taranaki Both Barrels May 2016
While the hunter phone survey results are yet to be analysed, initial indications are that hunters were happy with their opening weekend bags – in many areas more mallards were...
Northland Both Barrels May 2016
Opening Weekend game bird hunting produced a “great variety” of results for hunters around the Northland Peninsula.
Hawke's Bay Both Barrrels May 2016
Fish & Game rangers along with police officers checked 57 waterfowl hunters over Opening Weekend.
Eastern Both Barrels May 2016
Hunters can now take advantage of being able to hunt the 20-odd Crown-owned wetlands around the region administered by Fish & Game.