Both Barrels June 2025 - Southland

Word on the pond is that there are still plenty of ducks around Southland, offering some great opportunities for mid-to-late season hunting. With the school holidays just around the corner, it’s the perfect chance to get the kids out to the maimai for a day in the outdoors and to harvest some tasty birds.

Drift hunting – a great way to explore Southland’s rivers 

Drift hunting is permitted from the 1st of June and provides hunters with a fun and active way to target mallards. 

During the middle of the day, mallards will often rest up in the willows or river backwaters and drifting past them in a boat can be very productive.

Drifting down the river can also give you an idea of where ducks are living, and you can return later down the track and set up with decoys. 

When drift shooting it is of course important to keep safety in mind.

• Wear a life jacket and take a spare oar.
• Be mindful of current and getting too close to willows.
• Take a cell phone and PLB with you.
• Check your firing zone before shooting.

Drift hunting can be a great way to explore Southland’s rivers.

A few thoughts on jump shooting your pond/s

There’s no doubt that many hunters enjoy jump shooting ponds. It’s a fun, laid-back way to go for a duck hunt as there are no early starts, no need to haul decoys to the maimai, and it’s easy to bring the kids along. Plus, you can often fit a quick hunt in around other plans.

But jump shooting isn’t always the best approach. Sure, jump shooting can be a good option when you’re only seeing the odd pair using a pond, but if there are 20 or more ducks on the pond, it might be worth holding off and planning a full hunt. As the season goes on and birds start pairing up, that group of 20 could represent ten opportunities at decoying pairs during a properly set-up morning shoot. Jumping them might feel like you’re making the most of the moment, but you could be missing out on something better a little further down the track.

If you’re out jump shooting with a mate, it’s worth having a quick chat about your plan before you start. You might agree to jump any small groups but hold off if you come across a big group then come back the next day or weekend with the gear for a proper setup. That way, your casual walk can double as a bit of scouting for a more rewarding hunt later on.

What do Southland hunters think is an appropriate season length?

As part of our fortnightly hunter harvest phone surveys, we have also been asking hunters about their preferences around season length. It’s a topic that can stir up strong opinions, so these surveys help us gather a representative view of Southland hunter opinions.

Hunters who favour a full three-month season often say it gives them more chances to get out, to involve their family, and to spend time working with their dogs. On the other hand, those who prefer a shorter season typically do so because of personal ethics and are often concerned about hunting during the time when mallards may be forming pair bonds or beginning to nest. Both viewpoints are equally valid, which makes season length decisions a careful balancing act.

At the time of writing, we had surveyed around 100 hunters (with more surveys planned) and asked the following question about season length:

What is your preferred waterfowl hunting season length?

1. Six weeks         
2. Two months   
3. Two and a half months           
4. Three months

What did hunters have to say?

8% of hunters favoured a 6-week season
13% favoured a 2-month season
18% supported a 2.5-month season
44% were in favour of a full 3-month season
17% had no preference  

This data will be carefully considered when reviewing season length regulations in the future.