Both Barrels April 2026 - North Canterbury

Excitement Building in North Canterbury

It’s now only a handful of sleeps until we hit the maimais for opening morning, a time many of us count down to all year. The anticipation is building, gear is being checked (and double-checked), and plans are coming together for what’s shaping up to be another great start to the season. In this month’s update, we’ve got everything you need to know leading up to opening weekend.

Regulation Changes for This Season

Good news for hunters in the region, there are no changes to the regulations this season. That means you can head into opening day with confidence, knowing the rules remain the same as last year. Ensure you still pick up a new-season regulation book for the updated dates. 

You can see the regulation online here

Dabbling Duck Flights for 2026

The annual dabbling duck flights across the Canterbury Plains took place the second week of March. The estimate of ducks per 10 km transect was 47.1 (+/- 7.8), which is right in line with the long-term average of 42.2 ducks per transect. This is also similar to the last few years, indicating hunters should expect a similar number of ducks as they have seen the last few seasons.

Figure 1. The mean number of dabbling ducks counted per transect in the Canterbury Plains between 2006 and 2026, with the long-term represented by the dashed line.

Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere DOC Hunting Permit

In addition to your 2026 Game Bird Licence, you are also required to have a DOC permit if you want to hunt on conservation land around Lake Ellesmere, these permits are free of charge and select here to apply for a permit.

Fish & Game Hunting Knowledge Hub Online Now

If you haven’t already come across it on the Fish & Game website, we now have a dedicated Hunting Knowledge Hub packed with valuable resources developed by Fish & Game staff from across the country.

We highly recommend checking it out. Whether you’re new to hunting or a seasoned pro, there’s something in there for everyone.

Check it out here: Hunting Knowledge Hub

Hunting & Fishing Duck Night for 2026

Don’t miss the Christchurch Hunting & Fishing Duck Night on Wednesday, April 29.

Fish & Game will be there alongside a strong lineup of guest speakers, covering a range of topics to get you geared up for the season. There’ll also be a great spread of prizes up for grabs, and for some of them, simply being in the room puts you in the draw.

Check out the poster below for full event details and make sure you don’t miss it.

Lincoln University Hunting Club Calling Competition

The Lincoln University Hunting Club is once again hosting its annual calling competition on Thursday, the 30^th of April, at the Famous Grouse in Lincoln ahead of game bird opening weekend. You don’t need to be a club member to take part, entries are open across all categories.

It’s a great opportunity to connect with the local hunting community, support the club, and maybe even walk away with a few prizes. Check out the poster below for all the details.