West Coast > 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.

West Coast Regulations

Special Seasons Calendar

6.30am to 6.30pm, except that Canada geese may be hunted or killed 24 hours per day during the specified open season.

No limit.HUNTING ON THE WEST COAST

The primary attraction for gamebird hunters on the Coast is the diversity of habitat providing for a range of species, but predominately grey and mallard duck (and hybrids thereof, these days referred to collectively as grallards).

Shoveler, paradise shelduck and pukeko are widespread and populations of Canada geese inhabit many major river valleys, also Lakes Poerua and Haupiri.

In general, developed valleys with improved pasture and open drains offer the best waterfowl hunting – particularly for mallards, pukeko and shelduck – however riverbeds, bush ponds and coastal wetlands – most of which are on DoC administered land – also provide excellent opportunity. Some exciting post – opening weekend gamebird hunting opportunities remain relatively unexploited in South Westland river valleys such as Wanganui, Whataroa and Waitaha.

For anybody planning a trip to hunt the West Coast, Fish & Game can provide advice on key landowners to contact.

At the present time there are few problems with access to hunting on land administered by the Department of Conservation, however if in doubt about land tenure contact the nearest DoC office (refer below) for a permit.

Department of Conservation contact numbers

Greymouth 03 768 0427 Hokitika 03 755 8301

Buller 03 788 8008 Sth. Westland 03 7510807

Gamebird hunting is permitted in six Scenic Reserves; Hunters wishing to shoot at Lakes Rotokino, Ianthe, Arthur, Swan and Lady, or Saltwater lagoon are required to request a permit from DoC before the end of March. In the event of problems contact Fish & Game.

If hunting in riverbeds or along bermlands contact with adjacent landowners is recommended. Their advice could well add value to your hunting.

Please note that it is unlawful to use or possess lead shot when hunting waterfowl within 200 metres of any open water wider than 3 metres.

Goose hunting

One aspect of goose hunting that remains constant year round is the importance of local knowledge. Birds tend to concentrate in particular feeding areas where pasture quality is suitable and where they are able to use their excellent vision to spot trouble on the horizon. Unless disturbed a new feeding area may only be a few paddocks away from the last one so local knowledge on the daily pattern of a particular flock is a must. A phone call to one of the contacts listed below should help track the local population down.

The period around February/March is a very good time to hunt geese because flocks will contain juveniles yet to receive their education on being hunted. Some recommended spots during this period are the Ahaura/Lake Haupiri and Lake Poerua/Taramakau catchments, also the Wanganui, Waiho Waitaha and Whataroa valleys in South Westland.

Hunters should not underestimate the wariness of geese and the potential to ‘spook’ flocks, making subsequent hunting that much more difficult. It is so important to do it right the first time, and to this end the following advice is important;

• Phone a local contact above to locate birds, then, if possible observe their movements for a day or two before hunting.

• Construct a hide with minimum disturbance and using natural vegetation where available. Geese will usually avoid a paddock that looks different than the previous visit.

• Use plenty of decoys – facing into the wind/full moon.

• Use camouflaged clothing and keep movement to a minimum.

• Often it’s best to let an incoming mob land, then flush and shoot.

• Although they look like they’re moving slowly geese can fly at up to 80km/hr. If you are not hitting them increase your lead by swinging through the target more quickly.

Most private landowners will react favourably to reasonable requests for access to hunt. The contacts listed below are recommended for hunters seeking new areas, particularly to hunt parries and, in some cases, geese.

It is essential to phone the landowner before visiting and to respect any reasons they may have for limiting access.

West Coast West Coast

Area Property contact Ph number

Ahaura B Rogatski 7380225

Ahaura J Bray 7323736

Ahaura K Clucas 7323756

Ahaura R Becker 7323879

Ahaura R. Knight 7323604

Ahaura S. Bertacco 7323727

Atarau A Berry 7323856

Atarau C Van der Geest 7323718

Atarau G F O’Connor 7323547

Atarau G O’Connor 7323859

Atarau J Liddell 7323747

Atarau M Mills 7323001

Atarau P Berry 7323856

Atarau R Little 7323034

Atarau W Kennedy 7323594

Bell Hill P Crouchley 7380424

Bell Hill S Kelly 7380413

Bell Hill S Lovelock 7380590

Bell Hill W Smith 7380432

HariHari T Denham 7573125

Haupiri C Egan 7380389

Haupiri H. Temple (G.C.C) 7380224

Haupiri J Butcher 7380227

Haupiri R. Tapp 7328144

Haupiri W Perry 7380221

Ikamatua A Mirfin 7323461

Ikamatua G. Prendergast 7323518

Ikamatua J Havill 7323552

Ikamatua K. Ferguson 7323501

Ikamatua K. O’Malley 7323536

Ikamatua M Fitzgerald 7323577

Ikamatua P McLennan 7323755

Ikamatua B Meyer 7323660

Karamea Ron Gourley 7826712

Kokiri D Bradley 7625798

Kokiri (C.M.P) C Campbell 7625055

Kowhiterangi C Harris 7557932

Kowhiterangi K McClintock 7558420

Kowhiterangi T Sheridan 7557967

Maimai G Neylon 7328382

Mawheraiti J Sturkenboom 7328312

Nelson Creek P Garraway 7380436

Ngahere Hill (Bros) 7324860

Ross D Linklater 7554184

Taramakau P Magna 7369338

Totara Flat L Truman 7323714

Totara Flat P Kennedy 7323705

Totara Flat R Begg 7323706

Totara Flat S Griggs 7323729

Waiho C Brooks 7520713

Waiho R Quaife 7520244

Waimaunga J Baynes 7323533

Waimaunga J Clayton 7323843

Waitaha D Holland 7554999

Waitaha W Arnold 7554944

Westport A Pannent 7896431

Whataroa A VanDerPoel 7534047

Whataroa M Syminton 7532043

TIPS FOR HUNTING ON THE WEST COAST

The key to success in all hunting is to be observant and to recognise that gamebird movements and feeding patterns change in response to the time of year and availability of food. In the case of geese and shelduck, feeding patterns are largely dictated by the location of preferred pasture. Prevailing weather patterns also have a large influence on where concentrations of birds will be at certain times. For example during wet periods in June/July intensively grazed paddocks are favoured by mallards seeking high protein in the form of worms and grubs. Seeds from fed out hay and baleage is also a favoured food source. During frosty periods drains and wet areas with willow (pig) weed infestations may be popular. Observant hunters will notice that birds alter their daily habits and flight patterns in response to length of daylight hours, prevailing weather and level of disturbance. In general waterfowl tend to avoid large open water bodies during rough windy weather, preferring sheltered swampy margins and farm drains.

Similarly, during extended frosty periods there is often good hunting in small running creeks and small ponds with a bush canopy.

Many hunters become frustrated by large congregations of ducks – predominantly mallards – loafing in open paddocks after the first week or two of the season when ducks become more wary. These birds are often difficult to hunt, however for those prepared to chance the odd unsuccessful outing success is more likely to improve later in the season, especially on rough days and at first and last light.

Late in the season birds are preparing for breeding and require extra protein in the form of aquatic invertebrates and terrestrial insects. At this time small creeks, farm drains and wet paddocks often provide favoured feeding habitat.

During this period it is often possible to call in ducks that earlier in the season were simply not interested. In intensively farmed areas the daily routine heavily influences hunting opportunity. Look for concentrations of birds near stock feed out pads, and, particularly in the case of shelducks and geese, on saved pasture and green crop.

ORGANISED HUNTS

Complaints about concentrations of gamebirds such as pukeko, paradise shelduck and Canada geese periodically prompts a need to direct hunters to where the problems are. For example pukeko and shelduck hunting success is often dependent upon a team of shooters working together.

Organised hunts have become increasingly popular on the West Coast as access to good hunting becomes more difficult in other regions. Currently such hunts are arranged independently by a number of different clubs and organisations and Fish & Game provides coordination and assistance where possible.

The West Coast Gameshooters club is very active and organises some very successful hunts. For further information on membership contact David Brooks on (03) 7625604.

Fish & Game Nelson/Marlborough holds three organised goose shoots in the Marlborough high country in the course of the year. If this sounds like you phone your local Fish & Game office or (03) 5446382 for details.

Enjoy your hunting on the ‘Coast, comply with the few rules we have, and please show respect for landowners and your fellow hunters.

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