Southland > Hunting Regulations

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

7.00am to 6.30pm or any period within these hours, except that during the period 1 August 2008 to 29 March 2009 inclusive, Canada geese may be hunted or killed 24 hours per day during the specified open season.

No limit.

Shooting from boats is prohibited during the month of May 2008 on the Mataura, Aparima, Oreti, Waiau and Waimatuku rivers and their navigable tributaries.

HUNTING IN SOUTHLAND

Mallard duck

The Southland region provides some of the best mallard duck hunting in New Zealand. Season bags range from 25-35 birds. Much of the hunting is carried out on private farm ponds although public water bodies, estuaries in particular, provide good hunting opportunities during the opening weekend. Hunters travelling to Southland need a local contact to organize hunting spots, upgrade maimais and provide accommodation. Numerous groups of hunters congregate in the same area year after year. These engender great camaraderie and lifelong friendships.

Paradise duck

Although widespread across the province, northern Southland provides the best paradise duck hunting in the region. This species has thrived with land development. Large congregations can be found right into back country where they graze on modern grass cultivars grown on newly developed land. Paradise duck provide through-the-season hunting on pastures. Once a mob is found they can be chased off, then decoys put out, suitable camouflage arranged and the birds shot when they return.

Canada goose

Southland has a robust Canada goose population with most being found in the Te Anau Basin and along the coastal fringe where there are large water bodies they use for resting and refuge. They feed on pastures where the most successful hunting occurs. However a high degree of skill and a lot of perseverance is required to be successful as these are wily birds. Reconnoitring is required to find movement times and precise feeding locations. Moon phases and seasonal behaviour are also important considerations. The Goose season occurs all year except for April and from the end of the duck hunting season 24 hour per day hunting is allowed. During April there is a risk that hunting may disturb some duck ponds. However if there are issues with geese feeding on pastures we will arrange for a permit so these geese can be hunted, provided no disturbance of duck hunting ponds occurs. Goose hunting is also allowed in the Eglinton and Grebe valleys in the Fiordland National Park. A special permit is required for these areas.

Other species

Shoveler, Black Swan and Pukeko provide limited hunting experiences and are taken incidentally to the more common species.

General

Always get permission to hunt on private land and ensure your gun dogs are dosed, registered and well behaved. Safe use of firearms is essential and make sure they are stowed away before any alcohol is consumed.

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