Bands Bring Hunters Joy

Photo Above: These Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere hunters were some of the first to get into the action on the newly banded mallards in the North Canterbury region.

Opening Weekend kicked off across the country, with a buzz around the region with something we haven’t seen for years, banded birds back in North Canterbury.

For many hunters, that alone added an extra layer of excitement to the season this year.

So far, nine bands have been reported in the North Canterbury Region, with six of those banded in the region. That’s a strong start for hunters and a great sign of bird movement. Two standout stories have already emerged: one bird shot on Lake Ellesmere was banded in the North Island, highlighting just how far these birds are travelling, while another banded bird from Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere turned up near Culverden, a solid 112km from the banding site. This serves as a reminder that no matter where you are, you just never know what might drop into the decoys next.

The classic bluebird conditions over the opening weekend made things challenging for plenty of hunters. Warmish, calm, and settled weather often sees birds cruising rather than moving from spot to spot, and that definitely played out in some parts of the region. That said, it wasn’t all tough going with some hunters still managing to crack the code and put together impressive bags despite the sunshine and still conditions. It just goes to show: putting the time in and adapting your approach can pay off, even when conditions aren’t in your favour.

As always, Opening Weekend survey calls have kicked off, and we extend a huge thanks to everyone who has taken the time to participate. It’s been great to hear directly from hunters across the region and those who went further afield travelling from all corners of the South Island to honour their opening weekend traditions.

The overall picture staff got was a real mixed bag. Some hunters, even those only a few kilometres apart, experienced vastly different success. There were reports of 20-bird mallard opening limits achieved over the weekend, along with impressive paradise shelduck results, with 4–8 man limits not uncommon in the right spots. On the flip side, others struggled to get birds within range, with some reporting only a handful of shots as birds flared or stayed high.

Three generations of hunters out at Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere managed to bag a banded mallard at Lake Ellesmere. 

Private land hunting proved particularly hit-and-miss. Long-established ponds and maimai sites delivered great shooting for some rewarding those who have invested time over the past month while others found themselves scratching their heads as birds that had been plentiful in the lead-up simply didn’t play ball on opening morning.

Public land told a similar story. Around the Rakaia River, reports ranged from excellent success to difficult days. Meanwhile, out on the big water of Lake Ellesmere, persistence was key. For those willing to stick it out, stay patient, and grind through the quiet periods, some very respectable bags were achieved. It wasn’t easy going, but those who backed themselves and adapted were rewarded, sunblock was an essential this year which some hunters found doesn’t go well with face paint.

Encouragingly, bird condition across the region has been reported as solid, with plenty of well-conditioned birds coming through meaning some good eating is on the horizon for hunters in the region. That’s great news as we move into the main body of the season, and points toward some quality hunting still to come.

Looking ahead, the next few days are set to bring fairly average autumn conditions. While it might not scream “perfect shooting weather,” it does bring more hope to hunters. Early morning and late evening movements will be key, and using concealment and calling effectively will make all the difference.

Most importantly, the message from opening weekend was simple hunters were just stoked to be back out there. Back in the maimai, back with mates and family, sharing laughs, hot coffees, and a few well-earned feeds. That’s what it’s all about.

And with banded birds already turning up and plenty more of the season ahead, there’s every reason to stay fired up because you never know when your next hunt might be the one to remember.

If you have shot a banded bird click the button below for uploading your band details.

The Importance of Scouting

Understanding where birds will hold at certain times in the day is essential to your hunting success and will go a long way in improving each hunt you have.

One of the biggest factors in having a successful gamebird hunt is the time spent scouting before the season or even before a morning’s shoot.

Finding where birds are roosting, feeding, or travelling can make the difference between an average hunt and a memorable one.

There are several tools that can give hunters a real advantage when scouting. A good pair of binoculars is essential, while a spotting scope can help you identify species and estimate bird numbers from a distance without disturbing them. Drones can also be a useful scouting tool in some situations, although it’s important to check local regulations and restrictions before flying.

For those targeting birds along riverbeds, boating sections of the river can be an effective way to locate concentrations of birds. If you do come across a mob sitting on the water or feeding nearby, avoid stopping directly beside them. Instead, continue quietly past, as birds will often return to the same areas if they haven’t been pressured.

Once you’ve found birds, pay close attention to how they’re behaving. Take mental notes or photos of how they’re sitting on the water, the direction they’re facing, and how spread out they are. Replicating these details with your decoy setup can make your spread look far more natural and convincing.

The final piece of the puzzle is concealment. Even with the perfect decoy spread, birds will quickly flare if they spot movement or unnatural shapes. Matching your hide or camouflage to the surrounding environment is critical, especially in areas birds have been using consistently for several days. Natural cover, careful positioning, and keeping movement to a minimum can all help bring birds into shooting range.

The season is only just getting underway, so now’s the time to put some kilometres on the clock, spend time behind the binoculars, and locate a few promising spots. A little effort scouting beforehand can pay off in a big way once the shooting starts.

Opening Weekend Compliance

Fish & Game Field Officer Emily Craig walks towards a maimai on Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere on opening morning.

3 teams consisting of Field Officers, Honorary Rangers, and one Firearms Safety Officer from the Firearms Safety Authority were out and about for Gamebird Opening Weekend in the North Canterbury region.

Staff are pleased to report that levels of compliance were good, with only three Wildlife Act offences detected from 62 hunters contacted across the weekend. 

Offences comprised one hunter hunting without a licence and two offences for possession of lead ammunition while hunting waterfowl within 200 m of a waterway.

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.

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

Hunting Notice Board

Being a Responsible Hunter

It’s your responsibility as a hunter to know and follow all Fish & Game regulations, as well as local council rules and firearms safety requirements. Before heading out, take the time to properly assess your hunting area. Know exactly where you are, who might be nearby, whether you should notify nearby landowners or neighbours, and what your safe shooting zones are.

These are not afterthoughts. They are essential considerations every time you go hunting.

If you do encounter members of the public while you’re out, remember that you represent all hunters. Be respectful, act responsibly, and uphold the standards that keep hunting safe, respected, and supported across our communities.

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

Wind Radar:

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday: 

Monday:

Lake Ellesmere:

Rakaia:

Culverden:

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 21st May 2026

Warm Barrels!

Jackson Meecham & the team at North Canterbury Fish & Game