North Canterbury - Bi-Weekly Hunting Report 19 June 2025

  • North Canterbury
  • 19/06/2025

North Canterbury - Bi-Weekly Hunting Report 19 June 2025

What’s been happening in the gamebird hunting space

With this weekend being a long weekend, it’s a great opportunity to get an extra day’s hunting in or even spend that extra time scouting for where the birds are roosting during the day, as this can really pay off and can make for a memorable hunt.

We haven’t had too much rainfall in the region over the past week, so there is now less surface water around, meaning that the birds have fewer places to roost, which should concentrate them a bit more, making the hunting opportunities exciting for the remainder of the season.

 

Ever thought about chasing Quail this season?

These small, fast-flying gamebirds offer a challenging and rewarding experience for hunters, often requiring the use of well-trained gun dogs to locate and flush coveys from dense cover.

Our braided riverbeds offer great quail hunting opportunities, and it’s a great way to do more field work with your gun dog.

 

Here are some useful tips below

  • Watch for Covey Flushes
    When a covey flushes, note where individual birds land. Quail tend to scatter after a flush but will regroup soon—this gives you a good chance for follow-up shots.
     
  • Work the Edges
    Quail like transitional areas—edges between thick scrub and open feed grounds. Walking fence lines, hedgerows, or the edge of matagouri patches can be highly productive.
     
  • Keep Your Shots Close
    These birds are small and fast, so use open chokes (like improved cylinder) and smaller shot (size 6 or 7.5). Take quick, instinctive shots inside 30 metres for best success.
     
  • Use Calls Sparingly
    Quail calls can help locate coveys, especially when birds are scattered. A simple "chi-ca-go" call may draw a response. Use it occasionally, especially in the early morning.

The quail season here in North Canterbury goes until 31st August which provides an extra month hunting after the regular duck season.

 

Alternative ways to utilise your gamebird meat

Thinking about how else to process and use your meat after a successful hunt?

In Christchurch we are fortunate enough to have some butchery shops that are more than happy to take your meat to get processed into small goods. Talking with the team at Halswell Butchery they often make salami’s and kransky sausages for gamebird hunters, just remember to check your meat for any steel shot pellets as this can damage their equipment as they are processing it.

Contact your local butcher shop and see what great small goods you can use with your meat from the birds you have harvested.

 

Taking your meals to the next level

We're checking out the Fish + Game Cookbook by Angelo Georgalli, a must-have for any wild game enthusiast.

When it comes to game birds, the book features an impressive selection of recipes for species like Mallards/Grey Ducks, Paradise Shelducks, Shoveler, Pūkeko, Black Swans, Quail, and Pheasants. It also includes delicious ways to prepare the sport fish managed by Fish & Game.

You can pick up a copy at our North Canterbury office, select retailers and bookstores, or order the easy way, online at this link: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/fish-and-game-cookbook-angelo-georgalli            

 

The Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

  • Always carry a hunting and firearms licence
  • Be safe with firearms and on the water - know the seven rules for safe firearm handling.
  • Be an ambassador for hunters - hunt ethically & responsibly
  • Clean your game bird harvest quickly to ensure the best quality meat for your table
  • Ensure you make sure there is no ‘toxic’ shot in your bag
  • Bury waste after cleaning your birds
  • Follow the rules

Don'ts

  • Don't drink & hunt
  • Don't leave rubbish at your stand
  • Don't be unethical – respect your quarry and the hunting regulations
 

Weather Outlook

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Friday 20th June:

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Saturday 21st June:

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Sunday 22nd June:

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Monday 23rd June:

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Tuesday 24th June:

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Please note: This weather update is current at the time of publishing. We recommend checking the latest forecasts and road conditions before heading out on windy.com.

 

Firearm safety

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of settling into the maimai during duck season. The early morning mist, good mates, and the promise of a memorable hunt – it’s what we live for. But a successful and safe day out isn’t about luck. So don’t wing it.

Your maimai might be full of friends, family, and even the dog, making safety more important than ever. It only takes a few simple steps to make sure everyone enjoys the day and heads home safely. Start by nominating someone to take charge of safety. Then, discuss the plan together so everyone knows their role before the first ducks appear.

The safety lead should ensure everyone sticks to the Seven Basic Rules of Firearms Safety. Always treat every shotgun as loaded and never forget – the time for drinks is after the firearms are safely locked away.

Let’s make this duck season a great one. Take the time, make the plan, and keep it safe.

Check out the following links, which contain a range of helpful information from the Firearms Safety Authority and the Mountain Safety Council:

 

Hunting notice board

  • Staff from around New Zealand will again complete Game Bird Hunter Harvest Survey Calls this year. Be prepared, as any licence holder may receive a call on each period (there is a chance you may also be called more than once throughout the season). These calls are vital for managing the populations as they give us a great estimate of how many birds have been harvested across the country. If you want to look at the full report from the 2024 South Island Harvest Survey, use this link: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/assets/DMS/About-us/FG-Regional-Councils/North-Canterbury/Council-Downloads/2024/SI-Hunter-Harvest-Report-2024.pdf
     
  • Want to improve your hunting knowledge and skills? Complete the free online Better Hunter courses to enhance your knowledge and skills. Create an account and start the courses at home in your own time. These are great for both new novice hunters and those with more experience, looking for a refresher on some good practices. Use this link: https://www.betterhunting.nz/
     
  • Need some help building or scrubbing up your maimai to stay hidden from Game Birds? Reach out to the North Canterbury team, which is more than happy to provide advice on safe and effective maimai builds and how to keep the maimai hidden in a variety of locations. Don’t hesitate to stop in in person or call the office phone.
     
  • Always remember the seven rules of firearms safety this season:
  1. Treat every firearm as loaded
  2. Always point firearms in a safe direction
  3. Chamber a cartridge only when ready to fire
  4. Identify your target beyond all doubt
  5. Check your firing zone
  6. Store and transport firearms and ammunition safely
  7. Avoid alcohol when handling a firearm
 

Want your hunts to be featured in one of our reports?

Send pictures and details of your hunts to be shared with the North Canterbury community to Jackson at [email protected]

The best photos for our newsletters should be taken in landscape and should include smiling faces or hunters in action. (large bird piles will not be shared.)

Stay tuned for the next Bi-Weekly hunting report on July 3rd 2025.

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