Both Barrels June 2022

June brings unsettled weather

When you take up game bird hunting, you quickly realise that the weather has a large influence on success.

A bit of rough weather can make for good hunting but the weather we have experienced over the last couple of weeks has been severe  and likely has dispersed birds.

Right: The game harvest survey suggests good numbers of swans been taken so far this season as hunters utilise their full resource. (Photo Baylee Kersten)

The good news is the weather looks to be settling and some hard frost are occurring.

The combination of these frosts and the shortest day being upon us, with a bit of scouting good mobs should be found.

Paradise Shelduck in particular are known to mob up during frosts, so be sure to check your go to parry spots.

As always, if you don’t time to scout your local pukeko is always there and waiting!

Harrison and Kerry Calder finding success on a stormy day. (Photo Baylee Kersten)

Scouting is Key

You see photos of hunters who regularly bag good numbers of birds but what you don’t see is all the scouting they've done.

There is no easier way to improve your hunting than simply being where the birds are.

Often it's best to leave your weekend hunt until Sunday so you can get out on Saturday to find the birds and organise access.

Being adaptable and mobile ultimately is required to regularly be successful with so much game bird habitat on the West Coast .

So get out scouting and as always if you find birds but need help working out access, feel free to get in touch as we likely can help.

Organised Hunts

Attendees of Birchfield's pukeko drive, proudly showing off some well earnt wild tucker! (Photo Baylee Kersten)

We are halfway through our organised hunts for the year and they are going well.

Hunters have braved strong winds and rain but have been rewarded with heavy bags and great social outings.

The last two events to occur are the Karamea game bird hunting weekend and the Matai pukeko drive.

The information regarding the events will be sent out in due course to the keen hunters list.

If you are not on the keen hunters list but are interested in the events email bkersten@fishandgame.org.nz .

The event and important dates calendar can be found below.

Get amongst it!

Baylee Kersten, West Coast Fish & Game Officer