The Final Push Of Game Bird Season 

Photo Above: Harry Graham-Samson calls to mallards on Lake Ellesmere on a crisp June morning.

With just two weeks remaining in the 2026 Game Bird Season, now is not the time to start winding down. It's time to dig deep, make every opportunity count, and finish the season the way it deserves to be finished.

After what has felt like an unusually mild season, winter has finally arrived across the South Island. The frosts are becoming more frequent, temperatures have dropped, and the weather has finally begun to resemble what many of us expected months ago. While it might be tempting to stay tucked up inside when the mornings are cold and the forecast looks average, the hunters who've been making the effort over the past fortnight have been finding exactly what this time of year can offer: rewarding hunting and birds that are still very much out there for those prepared to put in the work.

The final weeks of the season are where commitment starts to matter more than luck. Anyone can be enthusiastic on Opening Weekend, but the hunters who continue to get out there in the depths of winter are the ones who squeeze every bit of value from their licence and create the memories that last long after the season closes. Opportunities remain right across the region, but they won't come easy. Success now belongs to those willing to cover ground, spend time scouting, revisit old spots, explore new ones, and stay adaptable as bird behaviour changes.

Chris Brankin with a collection of mallards harvested just off the beaten track.

After months of hunting pressure, birds are making fewer mistakes. They're holding tighter but are starting to change their routines and are often turning up in places many hunters won't think to look.

That's exactly what makes late-season hunting so rewarding. Every bird harvested at this time of year feels earned because it is earned. There are no shortcuts. Just good preparation, patience, persistence, and the determination to keep turning up when others have packed their gear away for the year.

Throughout the season, we've talked about the importance of scouting, understanding flight lines, reading weather conditions, improving concealment, refining decoy spreads, and adapting tactics to suit the conditions in front of you. Now is the time to bring all those lessons together. The hunters enjoying success right now aren't necessarily carrying the newest shotgun or running the biggest spread of decoys; they're the hunters paying attention to the details, trusting their processes, and putting themselves in the best position when opportunities arise.

For many of us, the hunts we remember most aren't those early-season mornings when birds seem to be everywhere. They're the cold winter days at the tail end of the season when the alarm clock feels harder to wake to, when the wind bites harder, and when success comes as the reward for effort. Those are the hunts that stay with you. Those are the stories that get told by mates around the fire or over a cup of tea while waiting for next season to arrive.

Matthew Garrick takes a picture of dog Whio and the mallard collection after a great days hunting on Lake Ellesmere.

If your licence hasn't seen as much use as you'd hoped this year, now is the time to change that.

Don't be left sitting at home in a few weeks wishing you'd made the effort for one last hunt. You've made the investment, now make sure you get the most out of it. Whether it's taking the morning off work, a weekend mission with mates, or a last afternoon to evening trip with the dog, there is still time to create a season highlight.

North Canterbury continues to offer some of the best game bird hunting in the country. From wetlands and ponds to riverbeds, paddocks, and those hidden pockets of habitat known only to hunters willing to explore, there are still opportunities waiting to be discovered. The birds are there. The challenge is there. The only question is whether you're prepared to get after it.

So here's our challenge to every licence holder across the region: don't let the season quietly fade away. Grab a mate, take a youngster, load up the dog, or head out on your own. Watch the sunrise or set over a frosted paddock, hear the rush of wings overhead, and remind yourself why game bird hunting is such a special part of our culture as Kiwis.

Harry Graham-Samson aims at two mallards that came perfectly into the decoy spread. 

The countdown is on. Two weeks remain. Two weeks to make another memory.

Two weeks to harvest a banded bird, discover a new spot, introduce someone new to the sport, or simply enjoy being outdoors in some of the best hunting country in the world.

Make these final two weeks count. Put one last memorable stamp on your 2026 Game Bird Season and remind yourself why we spend all year looking forward to it.

Banding Update

Field Officer Matthew Garrick bands a mallard at Lake Ellesmere during the 2026 project.

So far, 19 banded birds have been harvested in the North Canterbury region, although some of these originated from banding sites outside the region.

Of particular note, 16 birds banded at the Lake Ellesmere site have been recovered. 14 in the North Canterbury region.

If you harvest a bird that was banded in North Canterbury, we’ll be in touch with information about that bird, along with a Band Harvest Certificate for your records.

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

Bird flu (H5N1) confirmed in New Zealand for the first time

MPI has confirmed a detection of H5N1 bird flu in a Brown Skua at Petone. Fish & Game is working with MPI and DOC on the national response.

At this time there’s no evidence in mass mortality in wildlife, or transmission, or between wild birds in NZ. Also no detection in poultry.

What hunters need to know:

• Game bird hunting can continue
• Don't touch sick or dead birds that your hunting party haven’t shot. Watch dogs and children don’t touch the birds
• Clean gear between every outing
• Wash and dry your hands after handling birds

Three or more sick or dead birds? Call 0800 80 99 66 immediately

We'll keep you updated as things develop.,of

More info at: fishandgame.org.nz & mpi.govt.nz/HPAI

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

Final Report: Thursday 30 July 2026

Warm Barrels!

Jackson Meecham & the team at North Canterbury Fish & Game