Both Barrels June 2025 - Wellington

Time to Start Chasing Upland Game

The waterfowl season is drawing to a close but it has been one of the better seasons in the lower North Island.

As well as good mallard numbers, this is largely due to the favourable hunting weather we’ve had with some good strong southerly fronts and grunty nor-westers coming through to push birds off the large water.

Plenty of rain has also kept the ducks moving with great hunting had on flooded pasture for both parries and mallards in recent week.

With the main waterfowl season closing June 29, hunters can now turn their attention to upland game and pukeko which can be targeted through to the end of August.

There are plenty of farmers out there who would be pleased to have hunters knock over a few pooks which can be problematic when their numbers build up, fouling pasture and damaging newly sown crops.

Some public land areas in the Wellington Fish & Game region also provide opportunities to chase pukeko – email the office [email protected] if you’re interested in spots to try.

Quail are around too if you know where to look; it could take a bit of research but concentrate on riverbed areas where there is cover and food.

Same goes for pheasant with the Rangitikei River offering some hunting opportunities – once again, enquire at the office if you’re interested in finding out about public land hunting spots.

We’d encourage you to make the most out of your investment in a hunting licence and target the species available to hunters through to August 31.

 

Keep those barrels hot!