Both Barrels May 2026 - Eastern

The opening weekend proved to be as good as we had predicted.  Hunters shot almost 2 more mallard and grey duck than last year.  Having said that last year was a terrible start to the season.  The fine conditions however, played havoc with a lot of hunters particularly on the East Coast.  Hunters on the East Coast did well on the parries but struggled to shoot many mallard and grey duck.  We are still in the process of analysing the opening hunter survey results and hope to be able to give you a better picture of how everyone went next Both Barrels. 

Rangers had a great day; most hunters were enjoying themselves and sticking to the rules.  If you are not sure on season lengths and bag limits you can down load a regulations guide here: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/hunting-licences-and-regulations/hunting-regulations/regional-regulations/eastern/

If you have shot a banded bird you can either give the office a call or go to our website: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/game-bird-hunting-in-new-zealand/hunting-in-action/banding-together/send-in-your-duck-band-details/.  You may win a free game bird licence.

We haven’t had much feed back from the upland game hunters yet, but if you haven’t tried it give it a go.  The Eastern Region has some of the best upland game hunting in the country, especially on the East Coast and Kaingaroa/ Rotoehu production forests, NB you need to get a permit to hunt theses forests (google Timberland permits).  You can also get walkin permits to the wetlands we manage up until the end of the mallard season – give the office a call (07-357-5501) if you want one.

As we have mentioned in other years, make the most of the pukeko season – we get an awful lot of complaints from landowners regarding this species.  The local marae may want the pukeko feathers for weaving too.

All the best and have fun.