Both Barrels May 2026 - Nelson Marlborough

Opening Day Wrap Up

As with most opening days in Nelson Marlborough, blue skies and light winds prevailed on Opening Day of the 2026 game bird season. We had two teams in operation, one in Marlborough starting in the upper Wairau Valley and heading to the coastal area around Blenheim, and the other in Tasman, starting at the Waimea Estuary and heading inland towards Wakefield/Moutere. The Marlborough team were joined by Neil from the Firearm Safety Authority, who had an excellent rapport with hunters and was great at delivering safety and firearm transportation messages.

The Tasman team caught up with a good number of hunters in the Waimea Estuary, making a point of seeking out maimai that hadn’t been visited for a number of years. Though light bags were observed, hunters were in great spirits and enjoying the day. As the team headed inland, a handful of ponds were visited, which again hadn’t been called in on for a decade or more. This was parrie country, and hunters were doing well on some of the larger ponds, with one group of four hunters achieving limit bags by 10.30am (during the following week, one of these hunters dropped in staff some tasty duck pies from this session, which went down a treat – thanks Phil!).

Our final pond visit of the day resulted in the seizure of a shotgun after an individual was found hunting without a licence. It was a shame to end the day after 100% compliance had been observed up to that point. Pleasingly, there was very high compliance across most of New Zealand, which was fantastic to see.

All in all, it was a very positive and enjoyable day out catching up with hunters.

Image above: Joe and Harlee Cross are all smiles in the Waimea Estuary area. Photo: Jacob Lucas

OFO Quail Hunting

The May OneFortyOne (OFO) quail hunting may have been and gone, but we still have three more designated hunting weekends this season. Our agreement with OFO provides vehicle access to 5 Golden Downs forestry blocks and two blocks near Wairau Valley township. Most hunters simply drive along the forestry roads to locate coveys, then try to harvest them if the retrieval odds are high. To get a piece of quail hunting within OFO forest blocks in Tasman and Marlborough, contact Jacob Lucas here.

Volunteers Sought For Rabbit Island Trapline

We are refreshing our Rabbit Island trapline (which has been under Fish & Game management for nearly 10 years) and are looking for a small handful of people to check the traps about once a month. The trapline has been set up to complement the Battle for the Banded rail trap network and is a great initiative for hunters to be involved in. If this sounds like you, contact Jacob Lucas here.

The eastern end of Moturoa/Rabbit Island offers trappers some great views with a bit of fitness thrown in too. Photo: Jacob Lucas