Both Barrels June 2025 - North Canterbury

Season Overview – One Month In

We're now a month into the 2025 gamebird hunting season, and it’s been action-packed for hunters across the region. The high rainfall we've experienced has left many paddocks flooded and waterways brimmed, creating extensive surface water and ideal habitat for gamebirds. This has opened numerous hunting opportunities—from riverbank camps to flooded paddocks.

Hunters who have put in the time to scout are finding the birds. With the landscape transformed by water, it's more important than ever to identify where birds are feeding and loafing during the day. Success has come to those who adapt—studying bird movements, choosing concealed setups, and deploying realistic decoy spreads that match the conditions.

Pheasant Hunting Kicks Off

The first weekend of pheasant hunting took place over King’s Birthday, and early reports from our ongoing hunter harvest surveys show that several hunters made the most of the opportunity. While success varied, the key as always was a well-trained dog—able to locate birds and flush them cleanly from thick cover for a solid shot opportunity.

Reminder:

There are still two dedicated pheasant hunting weekends remaining:

5–6 July and 2–3 August

Public Land Hunting Showing Strong Results

Harvest survey data has shown a strong start to the season across public hunting areas in the region. Hunters regularly report reaching bag limits, even across mixed weather conditions. The consistently high-water levels are helping hold birds in these accessible areas—meaning great hunting opportunities continue to be available for those putting in the effort.

As we move into the second half of the season, we strongly encourage hunters to explore public land options. Success will still come down to careful scouting and attention to detail. Watch the birds the evening before your hunt, then replicate that exact setup with your decoys and concealment. If things look natural, the birds will commit.

Final Word

With plenty of season left to go, there’s still time to make the most of the outstanding conditions across North Canterbury. Whether you’re chasing mallards on flooded paddocks or working thick cover for upland game, the opportunities are out there—just remember to scout, shoot safe, and respect your fellow hunters.