Both Barrels June 2025 - Auckland Waikato

Getting into some Upland Gamebirds

There seem to be plenty of pheasants around, and harvest surveys show that few hunters are targeting them. A good place to go for upland gamebird hunting is the Rayonier forestry blocks, which include the Tairua (Coromandel), Maramarua (east of Meremere), Waihou (Kaimai ranges), and Mahurangi (near Warkworth) Forests. F&G can issue a whole-season access permit on behalf of Rayonier for $50. These are for use on Weekends only.  

Please select here for information on forest permits.   

Avian influenza screening update.

Fish and Game help facilitate the national MPI avian influenza screening programme during our summer duck banding project. This is a critical part of tracking the prevalence on non-pathogenic avian influenza in New Zealand. Principal Scientist/Veterinary Virologist, Dr Wlodek Stanislawek, has confirmed that the COVID-19 test-like samples taken from ducks caught during our duck banding this summer have finished the PCR process and have not shown anything untoward at this stage.

Elisha (MPI) and Dani (Fish & Game staff member) conducting a swab on a mallard duck caught at one of our banding sites this year. 

Pest control pays off for hunters!

Keen hunters and conservationists have reported a great mallard season in Whangamarino following a concentrated effort conducting pest control within their wetland. Maintaining a sufficiently low density of predators to bolster recruitment of game birds is certainly a labour of love and takes regular effort.  If you are interested in starting your own predator control project, please contact us for information and discuss funding opportunities.

A feral cat caught in a hunter's trap prior to a successful opening weekend. Cats are one of the biggest threats to wild birds in New Zealand, and it is estimated that there are over 2 million feral cats in the country.

Remembering to return duck bands!

Auckland Waikato CEO David Klee holds a patient mallard while the team of staff and volunteers are busy banding. 

Lastly, remember to report the tag numbers if you shot a banded duck this season. This can either be done online, or you can call 0800 BIRD BAND (0800-247322).

If you get your bands in before the end of August, you have a shot at being one of the five lucky people who will walk away with a new set of decoys. Report your banding details here.