Both Barrels July 2026 - Eastern

The dabbling duck and paradise shelduck seasons have now finished in the Eastern region. Pukeko can still be hunted throughout the region and black swan in area management A1 until the last weekend in August.  You can also hunt upland game until the last weekend in August.

Image above: Dash with another good retrieve. Photo Mike Bodie

The Eastern Region provides a lot of opportunity for upland game hunters with good populations of pheasant in coastal and lowland areas. Kaingaroa and Rotoehu forests provide plenty of hunting area but have been quite challenging over the last couple of years.  You can obtain a permit to hunt in these forests here: https://www.tll.co.nz/recreational_access_permits.  Your dog will love you for it. Great for your fitness too.

As you will be aware bird flu has arrived in New Zealand. In the USA waterfowl hunting has continued, but hunters are more careful when processing shot game, i.e., using gloves and making sure the birds are well cooked. Fish and Game are taking direction from MPI and the NZFG Council will be emailing you directly with commentary on hunting, dogs, and handling shot game, so keep an eye out for those emails.

In the meantime make the most of the upland game hunting.