Both Barrels July 2020

Now That The Duck Season Is Over...

Don't hide the shotty away in the gun safe just yet - there's plenty more bird hunting available in the lower North Island.

Right: There is some great quail hunting to be had in certain parts of the lower North Island (Copyright Hamish Carnachan).

While the main waterfowl season closes on Sunday July 12, pheasant, quail and pukeko can be hunted right through to the end of August!

If swamps and ponds are your thing, a great way to push on after the main waterfowl season is to target pukeko. These are excellent game birds to hunt, and provide very challenging shooting.

A good way to get a few pukes is to organise a drive, with beaters pushing the birds up and onto the wing in the direction of waiting guns - think poor-man's pheasant drive.

Pukes can cause crop damage so asking around a few farms should see access granted to control these birds.

Upland game numbers are also building in the Wellington Fish & Game region, offering increasing opportunities for hunters. If you'd like a steer on where to go to target these species, please call us at the office (06)359-0409.

Make the most of your investment in a game bird hunting licence and extend your shooting through to the the end of August!

By Fish & Game officer Hamish Carnachan