North Canterbury - Bi-Weekly Hunting Report 3 July 2025
- North Canterbury
- 3/07/2025
Gear up for North Canterbury’s second Cock pheasant weekend
This weekend on the 5th and 6th of July licenced hunters have the opportunity to hunt the elusive cock pheasants for the second time this year.
As we discussed in earlier reports hunting these sneaky birds is a great way to add some challenge and variety to your hunting experience and also spend some quality time with your four-legged friend. Remember if you can’t make it out for a pheasant this weekend, there is still one more weekend of pheasant hunting to go which is on the 2nd and 3rd August.
- Best Time of Day - Activity tends to peak early in the morning and again late in the afternoon. During midday, birds often hold tight in heavier cover and can be more difficult to flush.
- Use a Good Dog - A well-trained pointer or flushing dog makes a real difference. Birds can be well hidden in thick cover, and a dog with a good nose will help you find them. Work into the wind when possible, to give your dog and yourself the best chance.
- Focus on Transition Zones - Cock pheasants love areas where one type of cover meets another—scrubby gullies, edges of maize or grain paddocks, and pine margins are all good bets. Hunt methodically and don’t rush through likely areas.
Now into the final month of the main 2025 game bird season
It has approached rapidly however we are now a couple of days into the final month of the main season for hunting most of our waterfowl species.
The mallard duck, grey duck, New Zealand shoveler duck, paradise shelduck and black swan all have their final huntable day of Sunday the 27th of July for the 2025 main waterfowl season.
Hunting opportunities do not end here for your 2025 licence however with Pukeko, California quail and Chukar all being huntable until August 31st. There is also one final Cock pheasant weekend on the 2nd and 3rd of August. Many hunters also do not realise that their 2025 Game Bird licence also extends to the early months of 2026 during the February/March summer season in North Canterbury.
It should be noted that all hunts during the 2025/2026 Summer Season must be completed over agricultural grain crops and/or green feed paddocks and all hunts must be 200 metres from any water body.
North Canterbury has two Mallard/Grey duck weekends in February 2026 on the 7th and 8th and the 14th and 15th these hunts are restricted to Area B. North Canterbury also has a summer paradise shelduck season starting on February 7th 2026 and ending on the March 15th 2026, Hunts in Area A have a daily bag limit of 15 and hunts in Area B have a daily bag limit of 20. Please refer to the North Canterbury regulation book or contact our team if you have any questions.
View the North Canterbury 2025 Regulations at this link.
Alternative ways to utilise your game bird meat
Thinking about how else to process and use your meat after a successful hunt?
In Christchurch we are fortunate enough to have some dual operator 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 game bird 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 dual operator 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
Wind Scale:
Rain Scale:
Friday 4th July:
Wind
Rain
Saturday 5th July:
Wind
Rain
Sunday 6th July:
Wind
Rain
Monday 7th July:
Wind
Rain
Tuesday 8th July:
Wind
Rain
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:
- Treat every firearm as loaded
- Always point firearms in a safe direction
- Chamber a cartridge only when ready to fire
- Identify your target beyond all doubt
- Check your firing zone
- Store and transport firearms and ammunition safely
- 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 17th 2025.