Both Barrels May 2025 - Wellington

Win a $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Before we get into the season update, don’t forget you could be in to win a $300 Hunting & Fishing voucher by emailing in your hunting pics from the season. 

We won't blow your secret spot, just include the name of the hunter(s), photographer's details, and general location in the Wellington Fish & Game region.

Click here to submit your entry.    

You can send us as many hunting photos as you like. By submitting images to enter the competition you acknowledge that Wellington Fish & Game, and Wairarapa Hunting and Fishing, can publish and use the photos for publicity material.

Entries must be in by 8:30pm, August 31, 2025. The winner will be notified via email.

Season Update

The season is well underway, and it has been a solid start for the Wellington Fish & Game region.      

While there have been calm periods, we’ve had a series of strong nor-westerly and southerly systems hit the region since Opening Weekend.

These have kept the ducks moving around and those who have timed their hunts to coincide with the bad weather have done really well.

In Manawatu, those hunters who had put in the prep and really worked on concealment around their maimais have been rewarded with good bags, though reports have gone quiet in recent weeks.

In Wairarapa, however, the public water is still getting plenty of use and there has been some great hunting ahead of - and during - the wild weather we’ve had of late. There have been plenty of bag limits for those in the right locations proving that the best duck hunting often comes after Opening.

Hopefully this is good incentive for hunters to maximise their investment in a hunting licence and get out and shoot the whole season through!

Of course the birds become more wary as we head into the season, so it’s timely to think about changing your tactics and mixing things up. There’s a great article here [ https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/follow-the-hunt/hunting-blogs/where-did-all-the-ducks-go   ] on mallard distribution patterns mid-season and how to locate. 

Obviously it is still very early days and the best of the season is still to come when more wintery weather arrives. So, if you haven’t been out yet, get your licence now and get excited for the hunting to come! 

Please ensure you are familiar with the game bird hunting regulations for Wellington. 

If you require the regulations for other regions, please scan the QR code below, which is also on the front of your regulations book you will have received with your licence.