Both Barrels April 2025 - North Canterbury

Mallard Count

Dabbling duck monitoring flights across the Canterbury Plains indicate duck numbers are in line with the long-term average, so hunters should expect a similar season in regards to duck numbers as the last few years. Compared to last season, the southern parts of the North Canterbury region are considerably wetter – which is good news if you hunt this area, but does mean ducks may be spread out more across the landscape. As always to boost your success, scout, scout, scout!

Good news for Greenpark Sands Hunters on Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere

Over the last two years there have been discussions with the Department of Conservation, Selwyn District Council, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu around changes to access to reduce damage to wetland plants and habitats by 4WD vehicles. It has been agreed to allow quad bike access for brushing maimai’s and dropping off equipment through recently installed quad bike gates. Remember this is a privilege to have vehicle access across the Sands so please avoid driving through inundated water and keep to your vehicle tracks as much as possible. DOC have indicated they will be looking to trespass people that willfully damage fences to get full size vehicles on the Sands. If you see inappropriate behaviour, please report this to Fish and Game.

Regulation Changes

There were a few changes to hunting regulations for the 2025 season:

• Setting the daily bag limit for greylards (Grey ducks, Mallards or hybrids of the two) over opening weekend (3-4^th May 2025) to 20.
• Reduction in the season length for Pukeko’s to the last day in August. In 2024 this season extended until the 23 September. This aligns with the Californian Quail season.
• Setting the regular paradise shelduck season bag limit to 15.
• End the regular paradise shelduck season in line with the mallard season (late July).