Opening Morning is on the Horizon  

Photo Above: Harry Graham-Samson calls in a pair of mallards on Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.

With the opening day of the 2026 game bird season approaching faster than expected, there’s always a mad rush to make sure you’ve got your ducks in a row.

That your gear is all functioning well, with the coming being a long weekend this provides a great opportunity to give your hunting gear a final check over as well as to scout out an area to hunt, particularly if you plan to hunt the big braided rivers as these change regularly, it’s also important to check the weather forecast and rivers if hunting these areas as there’s a chance the rivers could flood.

Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere mallards make a dash to get their 2026 licences before opening morning. 

On another note, North Canterbury hunters might get lucky this season and shoot a banded mallard. After a duck banding project we did this summer, we banded a number of mallards, so make sure to check their legs for a bit of bling! If you do manage to harvest a banded bird, then please send in your band details, as this information is crucial for us.

Matthew Garrick applies a band to a mallard at the Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere banding site.

Click the button below for uploading your band details.

Dabbling Ducks Survey 2026

Matthew Garrick counting a transect during the 2026 Dabbling Ducks Survey.

The annual dabbling duck flights across the Canterbury Plains took place in the second week of March.

The estimate of ducks per 10 km transect was 47.1 (+/- 7.8), which is right in line with the long-term average of 42.2 ducks per transect. This is also similar to the last few years, indicating hunters should expect a similar number of ducks as they have seen in the last few seasons.

Figure 1. The mean number of dabbling ducks counted per transect in the Canterbury Plains between 2006 and 2026, with the long-term represented by the dashed line.

Duck Night Next Week

Don't miss out on the Christchurch Hunting & Fishing Duck Night happening next week on Wednesday, the 29th of April.

Fish & Game will be attending, along with a great list of speakers. There is always a great range of prizes; to be in the draw for some, all you need to do is be in the building. See the details for the event on the poster below!

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.

Lincoln University Hunting Club Calling Competition

The Lincoln University Hunting Club is once again hosting its annual calling competition on Thursday, the 30^th of April, at the Famous Grouse in Lincoln ahead of game bird opening weekend.

You don’t need to be a club member to take part; entries are open across all categories.

It’s a great opportunity to connect with the local hunting community, support the club, and maybe even walk away with a few prizes. Check out the poster below for all the details.

Make sure you’re following us on all our channels so you don’t miss a beat!

Hunting Notice Board

Fish & Game Hunting Knowledge Hub Online Now

If you haven’t already come across it on the Fish & Game website, we now have a dedicated Hunting Knowledge Hub packed with valuable resources developed by Fish & Game staff from across the country.

We highly recommend checking it out. Whether you’re new to hunting or a seasoned pro, there’s something in there for everyone.

Check it out here: Hunting Knowledge Hub

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 2025 South Island Harvest Survey, use this link.

Want to improve your hunting knowledge and skills?

Complete the free online Better Hunter courses to enhance your knowledge and skills. Create a free 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.

Matthew Garrick attaches the final piece to one of the Boggy Creek stands.

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 by the office or call the office phone.

Know your 7 Rules of Firearm Safety

Click the poster above to learn more!

Weather, Wind & River Flow Outlook

With still more than 10 days to go until opening morning, we reckon an extended forecast isn’t going to add much value just yet.

Instead, we’ve pulled together a bunch of seriously useful resources to help you get dialled in ahead of the big day. Whether you’re heading to a riverbed, Lake Ellesmere, or a private pond, these will give you a solid idea of what to expect come opening morning and help you be better prepared when it counts.

To help you plan your hunting trips, be sure to check the following resources:

• E-Can River Flows: River Flow Data
• Outdoor Access Live Cameras: Live Cameras (subscription required)
• MetService Weather Warnings: Weather Warnings
• Windy: Wind Radar
• Yr Weather Service (most accurate for High Country): Yr Website
• Canterbury Weather Updates: Webcams and Website

Stay safe out there!

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

We Need Your Hunts!

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.)

Grab your 2026 Game Bird Licence Online Now!

Click on the Game Bird Habitat Stamp above to get your licence online now!

If you would like to order a 2026 Game Bird Habitat Stamp, please visit this link: Order Stamp Here

Next Report: Thursday 7th May 2026

Warm Barrels for Opening Weekend!

Jackson Meecham & the team at North Canterbury Fish & Game