Gamebird Hunting Regulations and Guides are updated annually. Please be aware at all times of local and national regulations to ensure the safety of others and the sustainability of Gamebird Hunting.

Special Seasons Calendar

6.15am to 6.30pm, except that Canada goose may be hunted or killed 24 hours per day from 29 June to
31 October 2008.

No limit.

4.1 Whanawhana Trust property: Lots 2 and 3 DP 24970, namely that area north and south of Whanawhana Road, Whanawhana, bordered by the Ngaruroro River in the south and the Otamauri stream in the north.

4.2 Glencoe Station: Located in Central Hawke’s Bay 8 kilometres south of Maraekakaho on State Highway 50. The property is 1200 hectares bounded by Whakapirau Road at the back and private farm land on each side. These farms are owned by Mark Taylor, Graham De Gruchy, John Mulcaster, Nick Buckholt, John McPhee and Edwards brothers.

4.3 Tuna Nui Station: Bounded by Flag Range Road to the east, the Waikonini Creek and Rauwhenua Forest in the west and north respectively and the Napier-Taihape Road to the south.

4.4 Ngamatea Station: Being the property north of the Napier-Taihape road and bounded by the Taraurau and Rangitikei Rivers and Kaimanawa Range.

HUNTING IN HAWKE’S BAY

The Hawke’s Bay Fish & Game region is defined by river catchments, extending north to the Mohaka, west to the Ngaruroro, southwest to encompass the Tukituki systems, with the southern border reaching the Tautane Stream just south of Cape Turnagain.

WATERFOWL

The Mallard, Grey Duck and hybrids are the most popular game birds of the region. Both these species respond well to calling and decoying and can be found on most of the region’s rivers, streams, dams and lakes. Shoveler are a transient population for most of the season and are renowned for their fast flying and elusiveness.

There are extensive hunting opportunities in the river beds of the region. Access is good and well marked with access signs. A little time spent checking out backwaters pre season can pay dividends during the season.

Paradise Shelduck are wide spread and can be hunted successfully in most locations. Low-lying farmland with water nearby is ideal for hunting using silhouette decoys. If you want to target Parries the pasturelands and riverbeds are a good place to start. Most landowners are only too happy for hunters to target Parries on pasture if approached and asked.

The Hawke’s Bay region administers a number of Controlled Shooting Areas throughout the region. Periodically vacancies arise, creating a wetland enhancement and shooting opportunity for local shooters. If you want to shoot this season but don’t have anywhere to hunt, give our local Fish & Game Office a call.

UPLAND GAME

Hawke’s Bay hosts a good population of Ring Necked Pheasant and varying numbers of California Quail with the best hunting results occurring in scrubby river margins and forestry plantations with blocks of young trees. Pheasants are predominantly hunted in our major river systems with the Waipawa, Tukituki, Ngaruroro, Tutaekuri and the Esk normally well worth a look. The best hunting is generally where good cover and watering opportunities are found (i.e. river basins), especially where these areas border orchards and/or assorted cropping areas. For most of these areas a dog is recommended as an easier way to cover ground effectively.

Every year forestry blocks are available for use by upland game bird hunters. This is possible through the assistance of Matariki and Pan Pac Forest managers. The blocks offer weekend hunting only, and for this reason are usually productive and worth applying for. Access to these blocks is administered through our Fish & Game office by way of a balloted permit system. Balloting of these blocks is advertised in early April in the Hawke’s Bay Today and Central Hawke’s Bay Mail.

If you are interested in applying, fax us a copy of your 2008 game bird hunting licence along with your name, address and phone number along with the same details for any companions you will take. Include the make, model colour and registration number of the vehicle you will use.

For further information contact the Game Farm Office.

A COUPLE OF THINGS TO REMEMBER

Access is a privilege not a right so if in doubt please ask! Land owners frequently have Paradise duck and Swan problems and often appreciate flocks being dispersed by hunters. Often they might offer the opportunity to shoot a vacant pond. In any case the personal courteous approach is by far your best bet.

Please do not leave the bodies or parts of shot game on the hunting ground. If carcasses are left in the field it can encourage unwanted predators as well as ill feeling from other hunters and the non-hunting public. Please make yourself familiar with the Closed Game Areas and Wildlife Refuges scattered throughout Hawke’s Bay.

WILDLIFE REFUGES

(1) The bed of the Tuki Tuki River between Waimarama Bridge and a line running from the north of the Mangangara Stream to the road at the southwestern corner of Section 9 and 15 in the Te Mata Survey District (8km upstream). (2) Lakes Tutira, Orakei, and Waikopiro and certain surrounding land; (3) Horseshoe Lake, Elsthorpe; (4) The property of R H, J R, and T R Hartree, Puketitiri; (5) The Westshore Ponds; (6) The spit south of the mouth of the Ngaruroro River; (7) Rakautana Forest, Waikoau; (8) Pauhanui Bush, Gwavas Station, Tikokino.

POACHING PROBLEMS?

We have set up a 0800 POACHIN G (0800-762-2446) number. If you witness any fish and game offences let us know as soon as possible.

WETLAND CREATION

For information and advice on wetland creation contact the staff at your local Fish & Game offices. Wetlands in the Hawkes Bay Region are now rare. In some parts less than 1% of the original wetlands remain.

The Habitat Trust fund is one source of funding for enhancement, purchase or development of wetlands.

If you have a proposal to create or enhance a large area of wetland we may be able to assist you obtain funding.

LICENCES

You can now order your game licence through our 0800-LICENCE number (0800-542-3623).

To download the latest national regulations, please click on North Island or South Island