Both Barrels June 2025 - Central South Island

  • Central South Island
  • 19/06/2025

Both Barrels June 2025 - Central South Island

Take a newbie duck hunting 

For many hunters, the social side of duck hunting is a big part of what gets them out there each season. But plenty of people have never experienced the excitement of a duck hunt, sometimes due to a lack of opportunity, or simply because they don’t know what they’re missing out on.

Image above: Sefton Stevens (left), Finn Stevens (middle) and their dog Teal (right) after a successful morning’s hunt – credit Hamish Stevens

That’s why we’re encouraging you to take someone new out hunting over the coming weeks. You might just spark an interest in them that turns into a lifelong passion, and who knows, you could end up with a new hunting buddy for years to come.

‘Day’ licences make it easy for newcomers to give duck hunting a go: they’re just $27 for adults and $10 for juniors aged 12–17. Kids aged 11 and under can even get a whole season licence for only $5.

Grab a game bird licence on our website HERE.

Late season migration

The bulk of the main season is now behind us and it’s time for the annual late season migration. Not of birds; but of hunters from the North Island.

We believe visiting hunters should also set their sights on spending future Opening weekends in the CSI Region.

There are so many ponds that go un-hunted down here; it’s a case of ‘not enough hunters’ rather than ‘not enough birds.’

We reckon that more hunters in the region on Opening Weekend will help to keep the birds on the move and lead to an improved harvest.

With a bit of effort, door knocking etc, visiting hunters, or local hunters for that matter, can secure an Opening Weekend spot down here.

Don’t delay, now is the time to put in the work to find next year’s Opening Weekend pond.

A great place to start would be the numerous private irrigation ponds scattered throughout the Canterbury Plains between the Rakaia and Ōrāri rivers. 

Ponds can be discovered on Google Earth and other aerial imagery resources or by driving the rural roads.

Door knocking at the farmers house to politely request access permission for a future hunt just may see you set up with some great hunting for years to come. 

Please be respectful if your access request is turned down and move on to the next pond.

And please, whatever you do, do not push out a local hunter from their traditional opening spot!

Go for a stalk!

Pictured is Thomas Clark after a successful stalk on a local river – credit Blake Harper

With recent heavy rain and snow, ducks have spread out across the region, making use of overflown creeks, puddles and other ephemeral waters. This creates a perfect opportunity to stalk them.

Stalking, also known as jump shooting, is when you quietly sneak up on ducks after they’ve settled into their park up spot for the day, whether that be on creeks, ponds, rivers etc, and you flush them into the air for a shot.

One of the big advantages of stalking ducks is that it doesn’t require decoys or much gear, just a shotgun and a bit of legwork. While it may not be as rewarding as calling in birds over decoys, it can be highly effective, especially when targeting small mobs where a full setup may not be worth the effort.

The key to track down ducks is to scout around. If they’re on private land, approach the landowner respectfully, many are happy to allow access, especially when hunters are courteous and clear about their intentions.

Another benefit of scouting is that you might stumble across a spot holding a good number of birds, one that’s worth coming back to with a full setup. If it looks promising, plan to return one morning with your decoys and gear for a proper shoot, where you’ve got the chance to harvest a few birds.

Want to bag a spoonie?

A nice male shoveler harvested down at Wainono mid-season – credit Charles Keenan 

Reports from hunters who have hunted down at Wainono this season suggests there is a healthy population of spoonies (shoveler) present in this area, which correlates with our pre-season game bird count. The bag limit for shoveler is two per person.

Wainono Wetland Reserve is administered by CSI Fish & Game and is a great spot to start if you're keen to bag a spoonie. Click here to check out maps and more information about the reserve.

While there, save a permit application form, fill it in and email it to us, or alternatively get in direct contact with the office.

CSI Fish & Game contacts: email [email protected] or phone 03 6158400.

Also, check out this YouTube video of what is on offer at our Fish & Game Wainono Wetland Reserve.

Ever plucked a duck?

Sefton Stevens plucking a duck after a successful morning’s mid-season hunt – credit Hamish Stevens

There’s no doubt that breasting a duck is quick and easy but taking the time to pluck the whole bird can be well worth the effort, especially if you’re planning to roast it. Plucking utilises the whole bird, including the skin and fat, which can lead to a more desirable taste and a bigger meal.

How long does it take to get your bird from full feathers to roasting-ready?

Click HERE to watch a video from Hamish on how to pluck a duck.

 

Goodluck out there,

Blake Harper, Fish & Game Officer

 

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