Both Barrels June 2025 - Taranaki

It’s been a mixed season for Taranaki hunters so far with initial feedback from our gamebird hunter satisfaction surveys showing a wide range of experiences. Some hunters, especially in coastal areas, have enjoyed steady success throughout the season, while others have found the going a bit slower — particularly inland, where bird movement has been patchier.

Image above - Glen Stewarts pup Moki standing watch – Photo courtesy of Craig Mcewen.

There's still time left in the waterfowl season to finish strong and add a few more birds to the bag, before we turn our attention to upland game.

At this point in the season, it will pay to ensure decoy spreads are clean and maimais or layout blinds are refreshed with new vegetation, as ducks will be more wary with their movements. Another option is to actively seek out birds along streams, rivers, and (in the photo below) farm drainage ditches.

Chris Mattock – Actively seeking birds can be an exciting and productive approach, particularly for junior hunters.

Band Returns

As the season progresses, we're receiving a steady flow of band return data that is providing valuable insight into mallard and grey duck behaviour across the region.

So far, most recovered bands show local site fidelity. Most birds - whether juveniles or adults, are being harvested within 10 kilometres of where they were originally banded. One impressive example is a mallard banded back in 2018, which was recovered this season just 3 km from its original banding site. Based on the age it was when banded, we estimate this bird to be at least 7½ years old.

Although not every bird is staying close to home, for example a juvenile drake mallard that was banded in February 2023 on the coastal flats of Whanganui was recently recovered an impressive 471 kilometres north, near Dargaville.

Why Reporting Bands Matters

Every time a hunter reports a banded bird, they’re contributing directly to our understanding of duck populations and movement across New Zealand. Band returns help us estimate survival rates for both juveniles and adults, monitor local and regional population trends, and track how birds respond to habitat changes and hunting pressure.

This data is essential for managing waterfowl sustainably, helping Fish & Game make informed decisions that support healthy duck numbers and long-term hunting opportunities.

If you harvest a banded bird, we encourage you to report it via the Fish & Game website.

In return, you’ll receive a summary of the bird’s history, including the year and approximate location it was banded, its age and sex at the time and how far it travelled between the banding and recovery site (you can keep the band, we just need the information on it!)

It’s always interesting to see the story behind your bird — and by reporting it, you’re helping to protect the future of waterfowl hunting in New Zealand. Plus, every valid band report is automatically entered into the draw for prizes through Fish & Game’s Banding Together initiative.

Upland Hunting Access – Harakeke, Tauwhare & Nukumaru Forests

If you're keen to set the sights on pheasants near Whanganui, it’s well worth considering getting access to Harakeke, Tauwhare, and Nukumaru forest. To hunt in Harakeke (two blocks) or Tauwhare (one block), you’ll need to be selected through a weekly draw. These areas are open for Upland Game hunting only on Saturdays and Sundays. Here’s how it works:

1. Ensure you have your current game license and firearms license information handy, then contact Taranaki Fish & Game by either calling 021 270 0239 or emailing: [email protected] to claim your free hunting permit.
2. Enter the draw by getting in touch with Fish & Game before 12 noon on Wednesday each week. You can apply for one or more blocks and days. (If you're hunting with others, just one person from your group should enter).
3. You’ll be contacted on Thursday afternoon to let you know if you’ve been successful. (You must win a spot in the draw to be allowed to hunt that weekend).

Nukumaru Forest – Permit Required, No Draw

You don’t need to enter a draw for Nukumaru, but you do need a valid permit from Fish & Game (which you can also contact us for). Once you have that:

1. Contact the grazing lease listed on your permit before you go hunting to ask for access. For Blocks 4 & 5 you must get permission directly from the leaseholder before entering these areas. This is a condition set by the Whanganui District Council.