Both Barrels April 2026 - Southland

As opening weekend approaches, anticipation is building among waterfowl hunters across Southland. It’s an exciting time of year, offering the chance to get outdoors, spend time with friends, family and dogs, and harvest some tasty waterfowl. With the season shaping up to be a fairly typical one, there should be plenty of opportunity ahead for Southland hunters.

Picture above: Southland mallards tucked into willows on the lower Aparima River. Photo credit: P. Meecham 

2026 Gamebird Monitoring Results

Mallards

Each year, Southland Fish & Game monitors mallard populations across the region using selected wetlands, along with river and land transects. This monitoring provides insight into both year-to-year variation and longer-term population trends.

The 2026 count was consistent with the long-term average, being neither particularly high nor low. This suggests a typical Southland season ahead.

During the counts, we did note some variation in mallard distribution across the region, with certain areas holding higher numbers than others. For example, there were concentrations of mallards observed along the lower Aparima near Thornbury and sections of the Mataura River near Ardlussa and Seaward Downs. Likewise, several wetlands around Longridge, Grove Bush, and Mataura also held higher numbers.

Mallards taking flight during the April 2026 monitoring flight

Paradise shelduck

Each year, during the summer, we also undertake aerial paradise shelduck moult counts across the region. This year, paradise shelduck counts at both inland and coastal areas were higher than the last couple of years but in line with the long-term average. This suggests there should be plenty of opportunity to target these birds this season.

Paradise shelduck observed during the January 2026 moult count 

Black swan

Counts on coastal estuaries and lagoons during the summer period indicate that black swan populations in Southland remain stable. With a daily bag limit of five swan, hunters on the coast should consider targeting swans to add some variety to their bag.

Shoveler

Australasian shoveler are a highly mobile species, with individuals often moving long distances between regions. As a result, shoveler are monitored as a single national population rather than as separate regional populations.

Recent monitoring suggests a stable population, which is good news for hunters who enjoy targeting these unique birds. The Southland Fish & Game Council has made a shoveler bag limit adjustment for the 2026 season. For more details, see the regulation changes section below.

2026 Regulation Changes

The Southland Fish & Game Council has made a small number of changes to the hunting regulations for the coming season. These decisions were informed by species monitoring data, ecological knowledge, and feedback gathered from hunters through harvest surveys and consultation.

Mallard bag limit – This season Southland will return to the traditional split-season bag limit for mallard ducks: 20 birds per day over opening weekend, followed by 10 birds per day for the remainder of the season. This decision reflects a relatively dry spring breeding season (compared to 2024), where reduced ephemeral water availability during the brood-rearing period can influence duckling survival and therefore mallard population size. Feedback from hunters also indicated a preference for a split-season bag limit.

Season length – The season length has been extended from 10 weeks (2.5 months) to 12 weeks (3 months). Season length in Southland has varied over time, ranging from two to three months, with recent years set at 2.5 months based on hunter preference. However, feedback from last year’s harvest surveys and hunter consultation indicated a preference for a longer three-month season. As a result, the Council agreed to extend the season by two weeks, providing additional opportunity for those wishing to hunt later in the season.

Shoveler bag limit – The shoveler bag limit in Southland has been increased from one drake to two drakes per day. The reduced bag limit and drake-only regulation were introduced three years ago when the Southland Council adopted a precautionary approach to shoveler management following national monitoring results indicating a potential decline in population size, a sex ratio bias with drakes outnumbering hens (approximately 2:1), and that Southland hunters were harvesting a disproportionate share of the national take.

Southland hunters may now harvest two shoveler drakes per day.

In the most recent national shoveler monitoring report, evidence suggested the population has stabilised. As a result, the Council felt comfortable increasing the bag limit back to two drakes, while retaining the drake-only regulation.

Hunting from unmoored boats (drift hunting) – Drift hunting rules have been amended. Excluding opening weekend, drift hunting is now permitted on navigable rivers during the month of May (previously only June and July). The exception is the Mataura River downstream of Gore during May, where the restriction remains in place due to high recreational fishing use.

Opening Day Tips

Every year, when Fish & Game staff are out checking hunter compliance over opening weekend, we see plenty of hunters who have the basics right and are rewarded for it. We also see others who neglect some of the fundamentals and, as a result, don’t get the most out of their hunting. Keep these few simple points in mind as they can make a big difference to your success.

Prep early – If you haven’t already completed maimai maintenance, scrubbing, and vegetation trimming, get it done ASAP. Leaving it too late can cause unnecessary disturbance to resident ducks using your site in the lead-up to opening.

Use quality decoys – Hopefully your decoys were properly stored and not left on the pond all year. Avoid using faded or worn decoys. Either refresh them with a matte finish paint or invest in a new set and take good care of them.

Create movement on the pond – Even a small amount of movement can make a big difference, particularly in calm conditions. Consider rigging up a jerk cord or including a few motion decoys into your spread.

Set up for effective shooting – Make sure your maimai allows you to swing your shotgun freely and safely. Trim back vegetation and remove any obstructions that could limit your ability to track and shoot smoothly.

Communicate – Before hunting starts, make sure your hunting crew is clear on who is covering which areas of the pond. Call the shot so everyone shoots in a coordinated manner.

 

Warm barrels,

The team at Southland Fish & Game