North Canterbury - Bi-Weekly Hunting Report 5 June 2025

Recap of the last two weeks

North Canterbury has experienced a mixed bag of weather towards the end of May, some days looked as though we were heading into winter, while others reminded us of the warmer summer months.

With the wet weather, for the most part beginning to dry out, birds have been moving more freely around the region.

A clear indicator to us on how the last two weeks have hunted comes through Hunter Harvest Surveys, which we complete every two weeks (we ensured the reports lined up with the periods for these surveys). Throughout the surveys, staff have found that those who have been able to utilise those days with higher wind levels have had great success.

One hunter noted that he and his group, who have hunted together for years, alongside some younger hunters, the nieces and nephews, had, as he can recall, “the best riverbed hunt to date”. He noted that “most of the group shot within a couple of birds within the mallard bag limit”. He was also pleased to note, “All birds were split fairly among all hunters so the great food they had sustainably harvested could be enjoyed with family and friends”.

Other indications from the harvest surveys suggested that some great early season hunting is being found on Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora, which is, of course mostly publicly accessible land, meaning with the appropriate licences and free permits, any hunter can make the most of it. We had reports of a variety of different harvests most consisting of mallards, paradise shelducks and black swans.

Be sure to check out our Both Barrels newsletter for May at the link here.

First Pheasant weekend success for hunters

There’s nothing more satisfying than following behind your dog as they track and flush a pheasant.

For Mason (an Otago F&G staff member who wanted a taste of what North Canterbury has to offer) and me (Matthew Garrick NC Field Officer), we each had success on the first day of the pheasant season.

There appeared to be good numbers of hunters out and about chasing pheasants across Canterbury, with hunters having mixed success. Keep an eye out for the
“off the beaten track” areas within riverbeds, pheasants are smart, and many will run and hold in areas just off where people walk. Most of the pheasants we flushed on Saturday were in areas that they had clearly been pushed to from hunters earlier in the day.

The pheasant weekends provide a good opportunity to get out with your dog and do something a little different. There’s also nothing like a hard-earned pie after putting in a few kilometres following our furry companions.

Next pheasant weekend dates: 5 July and 6 July

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 here. 

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 6 June

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Saturday 7 June

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Sunday 8 June

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Monday 9 June

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Tuesday 10 June

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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:

• Duck Safety
• Game Bird

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 19 June 2025