Both Barrels May 2025 - Hawke's Bay
- Hawke's Bay
- 20/05/2025
Well, opening weekend has been and gone and whilst it wasn’t cold and wet, it was still showery, cold and windy, and the rain on the Friday before definitely helped; on a positive note the weather was a whole lot better for duck hunting than the clear, calm and hot conditions we had opening day 2024.
As usual hunters over the region had mixed success, with some enjoying really good hunting, whilst for others, things were a bit slower than they would have liked. Most hunters we spoke to were having a good time with a mixture of mallards and paradise ducks making up the majority of their bags. It was great to see a few with Canada geese, pukeko and even the occasional feral geese. As usual there was a few stories of the “ones that got away”, some hunters on opening day were saying “they were feeding hundreds of ducks until just before opening day then they vanished and we are still waiting for them to come ”, from my experience once they have learnt where they can get a good feed they normally come back, maybe Saturday or Sunday evening of opening weekend, or failing that the first really cold wet evening. If you keep feeding them, once you get good cold wet weather during the season they often return and continue to provide opportunities through the season.
Many hunters we speak to remind us that the success of opening weekend isn’t just about harvesting lots of ducks. To quote some – “Opening day to us is like Christmas for kids; we wait for it for all year. It’s about catching up with our mates, many we only see at opening weekend. It’s my annual excuse to escape the city, chores at home and be young at heart again”.
One of the keys to good duck hunting is being able to keep the ducks moving. Those that go stalking other farm dams or the river in quiet parts of the day, whilst the rest of the team stay in the Maimai, often generate success for themselves and their mates back in the hide.
Our three ranging teams were accompanied by rural police officers again this year, we were hoping to have a repeat of the 100% compliance we had last year, but unfortunately some hunters managed to catch themselves out this year, the most common offense was possession of lead ammunition. With three teams, we covered around 1000 km for the weekend from our southern boundary with Wellington region back to the Ruahine foothills, Titiokura and north towards Wairoa. Most hunters were very pleasant, and cooperative; it was great to have the occasional break in our day when we paused our interview, to allow a hunter to grab his gun and take a shot at a duck that was coming into their decoys. It was great to see a number of ladies and juniors out hunting this season, we were also really impressed by just how much work some had put into their maimais, many with BBQs, smokers, fridges, and even electric lighting.
We got some rain overnight 18 May and are expecting more early the following week, which should help get the waterfowl moving and the long-range forecast is looking promising too. With lots of maize still being harvested there should be plenty of duck and goose hunting opportunity for those who get permission to hunt over the stubble. There are good numbers of paradise ducks around, so targeting stubble or freshly sown grass should add variety, with the added bonus, that Canada geese like these areas too. We have really noticed an increase in Canada geese numbers throughout Hawkes Bay, particularly in Central Hawkes Bay and Porangahau, whilst they aren’t controlled under the gamebird licence anymore, they add variety and opportunity for waterfowl hunters, they are challenging to hunt, and great eating.
Many hunters are using steel shot for their stubble and paddock hunting, saying they shoot better, not having to adjust for the change from the steel they use over water to the lead over paddocks, the obvious and added advantage is if you only use steel, there is less chance of catching yourself out with accidental lead shot use over water. The other positive is, we as hunters reduce the chance of ingesting lead and we helping look after our environment better.
With many hunters chasing geese outside of the game season and enjoying hunting rabbits and hares with friends and family pre – season, it easy to get caught out. As waterfowl hunters we need to check we have not inadvertently left any lead ammo in our bag or belt, when we hunt over or near water and we have replaced the pin in our guns.
Hawke's Bay rivers will continue to provide good hunting throughout the season, helped by ducks congregating in backwater pools along the river, after feeding in harvested maize fields overnight.
River hunting provides some great opportunities and there is always a good chance of encountering pheasant or quail, a wonderful addition to any hunter’s menu. Hawkes Bay has a good population of pheasants, with most riverbeds and young pine blocks supporting good numbers, topped up by pheasants that “refugee” out of preserves, and donated birds from a local preserve that we released throughout the bay’s riverbeds. These donated Pheasants were banded and released in small numbers over many sites, so if you shoot a pheasant please check if its banded and let us know the band number and area shot, we promise we will not tell everyone your favourite spot, so if you shoot a pheasant please check if its banded and let us know the band number and area shot, we promise we will not tell everyone your favourite spot.
Please see link below to enter the band details – please remember you don’t need to send us your band, keep it as trophy if you like, but please fill in the details below, so we know how many of these birds are harvested and how far they have travelled.
Please select here to enter pheasant band.
For the hunter who likes a different challenge, there is an abundance of Pūkeko throughout the region with many landowners happy to allow hunters access, it’s a great way to get novice hunters involved as many find Pukeko a little easier to hit than a pheasant exploding from cover or a duck rocketing past a maimai. Hunters are reminded to seek permission, accept you may not always allowed access and who knows what opportunities may unfold, while remembering that we are all ambassadors for our recreation.
Lead Shot and Waterfowl Hunting
As I said earlier in this article, several hunters caught themselves out by using or being in possession of lead shot ammunition in their duck hunting maimais, so here is a wee reminder. It is an offense to use or possess lead shot ammunition within 200 meters of open water while hunting waterfowl, this applies to all gauges including .410.
Too many waterfowl hunters are surprised when we find the ammunition they are using is lead; not steel as they thought, often we end up confirming this for them with magnet.
From our experience most, if not all non -toxic ammunition has “Steel” “Bismuth” or “Hevi Shot” printed both on the box and on each cartridge, while in most cases lead does not. It is easy to confirm the difference between steel and lead shot with a magnet, unfortunately if our ranging teams do this for you, it is too late. Our advice is simple; if your ammunition does not have the type of shot printed on it, assume it is lead.
Junior Events.
The first is a duck hunt, on the 24/25 May in Central Hawkes Bay, our winners have been notified, and excitement is building for this great opportunity for nine young hunters drawn from all over the country.
Hawkes Bay Juniors Simulated Field Clay Target Shoot
This second event on the 15 June is a really exciting and challenging, simulated field, clay target shoot that we are running, in conjunction with Tunanui Station. The team at Tunanui Station have converted some of their famous pheasant drives into an equally challenging commercial clay target shoots, the arrival of innovative clay target throwers that can through a clay over 200 meters has made this possible. The shoots have the potential to offer a range of high, fast, incoming and crossing targets, very much the same as the shooting one would encounter on a driven pheasant hunt or when hunting waterfowl on big water. The team can slow the speed down for our junior hunters, making it easier for them to “get their eye in” when we start. With the new technology throwers, the team will be able to adjust the speed and difficulty of the targets, couple this with some world class coaches, the day promises to be an exciting and educational opportunity for eight incredibly lucky young hunters. Hopefully after a bit of practise, the shoot will end with some exciting “fast and furious shooting” where flurries lasting up to 3 minutes will launch multiple targets over a line of shooters just like in a driven pheasant hunt. This event will suit hunters with some experience, who can ideally bring their own double-barrelled gun to the shoot, ammunition will be supplied, as will a BBQ lunch on arrival. The shoot will be at Tunanui Station, approximately 20 minutes’ drive, up the Napier / Taihape road.
How do I enter – all junior hunters purchasing a Hawkes Bay 2025 Junior full season gamebird license will be eligible for this lucky draw
For further information and registration for clay shoot, please follow the link below.
Hawkes Bay Junior Driven Pheasant Hunt
This hunt will be hosted by a world class upland game preserve after their main season has finished. Hawkes Bay has been lucky to have similar hunts previously, where opportunities were plentiful, smiles on juniors and parents’ faces were universal; although I’m sure many of the parents were trying hard to hide their envy at the juniors getting the sort of hunt than many adult hunters dream of for free.
How do I enter – all junior hunters purchasing a 2025 Hawkes Bay Junior full season gamebird license will be eligible for this draw. Keep an eye on the Hawkes Bay Fish and Game Facebook page for more information. These hunts promise to deliver lifelong memories for those lucky enough to win the draw.
Other important News and Events
Hawkes Bays Fish and Game’s, New Junior Fin & Feather Club.
By establishing "Feather & Fin Juniors," we aim to create a nurturing environment where young enthusiasts can safely explore and develop their interests in fishing and gamebird hunting, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and conservation.
Mission
To foster a love for trout fishing and duck hunting among young people by providing a safe, inclusive, and educational environment where they can connect with nature, learn essential outdoor skills, and build lasting friendships.
Who It's For
Young people aged 11–18 in the Hawke’s Bay region who are interested in outdoor adventures, conservation, and learning the art of fly fishing and game bird hunting.
For more information check out our Facebook page, visit the website or follow the link.
Take a Mate Gamebird Hunting for the day for only $5* on Kings Birthday Weekend
This King's Birthday Weekend, it's time to gather your mates, gear up, and head for the maimai, or your favourite upland hunting spot. Whether it's catching up, checking in, or just sharing a laugh in the great outdoors – Take a Mate Gamebird Hunting is your chance to reconnect with a mate who’s been missing out.
For just $5, you can nominate a mate to join you in the field for the day on 31st May, 1st, or 2nd June 2025 – the perfect way to celebrate the long weekend and support Men’s Mental Health Week (9–15 June). Bond over the blast of the season, breathe in some fresh air, and bring home some wild kai – all while looking out for each other.
NB* Conditions apply, please follow the link below for all the info and where to buy this special one-off day Licence.