Both Barrels April 2025 - Nelson/Marlborough

Mallard monitoring completed

Staff carried out mallard counts in early April at over 60 sites across Tasman, Marlborough and Golden Bay. The good news for Marlborough hunters is that there was a 20% increase on the 9-year average, so we hope this translates to some decent hunting during the season. In Tasman/Golden Bay, our counts over 31 sites indicate numbers are down when compared to the 9-year average. It was interesting to find a group of plumed whistling ducks at the Takaka Oxidation Ponds. According to NZ Birds Online, these birds have made their way here from the Northern half of Australia (where they are common), and are rare visitors to our shore, with eight groups at least known to have arrived here. This group of 16 birds seen at Takaka would be the largest documented group seen in New Zealand, with the previous largest group at 14 birds.

Image above: Plumed whistling ducks have been found in Takaka.

OFO Quail hunting

Staff met with OFO staff recently to discuss this year’s OFO quail hunting arrangement, with a few changes on the cards.  The dates of the four hunting weekends are:

• May 17-18
• June 21-22
• July 19-20
• August 1-17

Hunters are to apply to Jacob Lucas here to register your interest.  From there we will get some details from you and issue you a permit for all four weekends.

We have lost the use of Ngaruru block in Marlborough, but will be looking to add another Southbank Wairau block (to be decided) in time for the first quail hunting weekend.  Due to a change in the way OFO issue permits for big game hunters, the number of Golden Downs Forest blocks will also be reduced to better accommodate this high user group.  We have been informed that quail hunting blocks will be reserved for quail hunting only, hence our agreement to reduce the number of available blocks to the most popular ones for quail hunting.

Golden Downs will still be operating under an open gate arrangement, however, Marlborough quail blocks will require ‘smart lock’ access which we can assist hunters with.

Pre-season newsletter

Keep your eye out for a pre-season newsletter which we hope to get out to you closer to the season.  We will have more information about other organised hunts and access

Clay bird shoots

Get your eye in for the duck season at upcoming duck shooters clay bird shoots in Marlborough and Tasman.

Marlborough (80 targets) - please select here to view poster
Marlborough Hunting & Fishing sponsored event
27 April, 9am
840 Wairau Bar Road

Tasman - Please select here to view poster
Tasman Sporting Clays Inc event
27 April, 10am
549 Kerr Hill Road (just before the Motueka Bridge)