Both Barrels July 2026 - Otago

Making the Most of the Season's Final Weeks 

With the mallard season ending later this month, Otago hunters have been making the most of changing winter conditions. From foggy, frozen ponds in Central Otago to flooded paddocks on the Taieri Plain, recent editions of our regional hunting newsletter The Game Call explore how weather has influenced duck movements — and the tactics hunters are using to stay successful.

Read more hunting stories and practical tips in The Game Call.

Bird Flu

MPI has confirmed the first detection of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) in New Zealand. The virus was found in a brown skua, a migratory seabird, in Petone. 

This is a situation Fish & Game has been preparing for alongside MPI, the Department of Conservation, and other agencies.

For up-to-date advice about bird flu, hunters should read the national article in this issue of Both Barrels, go to the Fish & Game Hunting Knowledge Hub webpage, and follow the national Fish & Game NZ Facebook page.

Late-season Hunting Opportunities

The mallard-grey and shoveler season closes on July 26, but there's still plenty of hunting for other game bird species until August 30.

• Paradise shelducks remain abundant across Otago. Parry moult counts this year were at a record high.
• Black swans are in good numbers in coastal areas. They may only be hunted in Area B: the Clutha catchment downstream from the Clyde Dam; the Taieri River catchment and all the coastal catchments between Shag Point and The Brothers Point in the Catlins.
• Upland game bird hunting occurs mostly on private land in Central Otago and permission is required from the landowner. Ensure your dog is dosed regularly for tapeworm and carry a dosage record to show a landowner.

Celebrating Hunters and their Dogs

This month in The Game Call we've featured hunters sharing what makes the season memorable — from Josh Hasler and his Labrador Xena retrieving ducks from icy ponds, to practical advice on scouting birds, setting late-season decoy spreads and making the most of harvested wild game.

‘Shot of the Season’ Otago Photo Competition

Jump onto The Game Call for details of our "Shot of the Season" Otago photo competition and be in the running to win a Duck Hunters Prize Pack sponsored by Dunedin Hunting & Fishing.

Stay up to date

• For Otago Fish & Game's latest hunting news, tips and regional stories, The Game Call is emailed fortnightly to Otago game bird licence holders and is also available on the Fish & Game website.
• Follow Otago Fish & Game on Facebook
• Check out Where to Hunt – Otago for hunting opportunities and advice.

Know the Regulations

Before heading out, make sure you understand the game bird hunting regulations for the area you intend to hunt.

• Each Fish & Game region has its own regulations alongside the national rules.
• Season dates and bag limits vary between regions.
• Regulation booklets for every region are available on the Fish & Game website.

The mallard season may be ending soon, but there are still opportunities to enjoy the remainder of the game bird season. Day licences are available, so grab a mate, take the dog and make the most of what's left.

 

The Otago Fish & Game team