Otago > Hunting Access

A hunting licence does not give you access to any land. Riverbeds of the larger rivers are usually Crown-owned but you should still clear access to these with the local city or borough council. All farms are privately owned and permission must be obtained first from farm owners, but make your enquiries about access for the shooting season after the lambing season (October) and before the end of February as this is a fairly quiet time for most farmers.

Wildlife Management Reserves exist in most Fish & Game Council regions to which you can gain access, and many of these have permanent duck blinds, which are balloted for each year. Enquire at your local Fish & Game Council or DOC office. Joining your local Fish & Game Council club or gun club will also put you in touch with other hunters who can give you additional information on where you can hunt, and where you may find a hunting partner.

One aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked is the possibility of building your own dam or duck-shooting pond. Most farms have a marshy area that could be ‘blown’ or a small stream that could be dammed to provide waterfowl hunting. Pamphlets from Fish & Game Council offices can assist you in how to make ponds, and of course you are providing much-needed habitat for all the wildlife that are dependent upon wetlands for survival.

Hunting licences
In New Zealand all a game birds belong to the Crown, until legally taken by with a sportsperson with a game bird hunting licence issued by one of the Fish & Game Council offices. Hunting of game birds is controlled in the first instance by the Wildlife Act 1953, then by the Wildlife Regulations 1955, and most importantly by the annual Gazette notice that sets out all the various conditions and bag limits for each region. Your hunting licence is valid throughout the North and South Islands. There are two categories of licence: adult and junior, a junior being a person under the age of 16 years as at the first Saturday in May (opening day). You must carry your licence with you at all times when hunting. Also remember that if your local area’s duck season finishes in June or July, the licence can still be used to hunt upland game birds and the Canada geese can be hunted nearly all year round in the South Island.

Rangers
Rangers may be Fish & Game Council or DOC staff, or fellow hunters who have decided to return a little to the sport. Whoever they are, they carry warrants issued under the Wildlife Act 1953 and as such are charged with the laws governing the taking of game, protection of protected species and care of the natural habitat. Their principal task during the season is the checking of licences and bags, and they have very wide powers, including prosecution, under the Act.

If you cannot positively identify a bird as being legally allowed to be harvested under the regulations, don’t shoot!

Waterfowl hunting is a fascinating sport. If the Fish & Game Councils can assist you get more from your sport, we will only be too happy to do so. Enjoy your hunting.

• Brochures on waterfowl hunting for beginners, Canada goose hunting, Parrie hunting, evening shooting, wetland development, Pheasant hunting, Quail hunting, maimai building.

• Wetlands and ponds: Otago staff are happy to discuss and visit a site to advise on wetland creation or enhancement.

• Fish & Game New Zealand magazines: Our office and major licence agents have free additional copies of the Fish & Game magazine.

• Hunting advice : we can advise you on all aspects of hunting and hunting areas

• Riverbank management: Otago staff can provide information to assist with the management of riverbanks to minimise erosion and provide sport fish and game habitat.