First Pheasant Weekend Provides For North Canterbury Hunters

Photo Above: Raoul Thomas and Richard Moate gain limit bags of Cock Pheasants alongside five Californian Quail.  

The King’s Birthday weekend turned it on for the cock pheasant opener this year, with cracking conditions and a good number of hunters making the most of it across the region.

Weather-wise, you couldn’t have asked for much better. Calm enough winds, reasonably clear spells, and nice cool mornings made for ideal conditions underfoot, and by all accounts, the birds were out and about. It didn’t take long for utes to start appearing at the usual spots, with plenty of keen hunters keen to kick the season off right.

There was a good buzz over the weekend, with solid numbers of people out giving it a go. Traditional areas saw their fair share of foot traffic, and those who put in the miles seemed to be the ones finding the most success. Like always with pheasant hunting, it was a bit of a mixed bag, but a strong population of birds were moving around to keep things interesting.

Whio the dog did extremely well this long weekend, managing a Cock Pheasant as well as a paddock hunt for parries.

Rangers were out and about as well, doing licence checks.

Over the course of the weekend, they came across 11 hunters in the field. Encouragingly, everyone checked was playing by the rules, which is great to see and reflects well on the hunting community as a whole.

A handful of those hunters had already managed to pick up a bird, so they had moved their focus to quail, showing that conditions were definitely in the hunters’ favour if you were in the right place at the right time. For others, it was more about blowing the cobwebs out, stretching the legs, giving the dog a bit of fun and enjoying the outdoors.

Dog work was another highlight for many, with a few tidy retrieves and solid flushing performances reported. For a lot of hunters, getting the dogs back out is just as important as what ends up in the bag.

As always, safety and good judgment were at the forefront. With more people out over the long weekend, hunters were sure to stay aware of their surroundings, positively identify targets, and look after each other in the field.

All up, it was a great way to open the cock pheasant season, good conditions, good turnout, and some pleasing success to boot. We have two more pheasant weekends in North Canterbury, the next being on 4 and 5 July. Book it in early!

Banding Update

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

So far, 16 banded birds have been harvested in the North Canterbury region, although some of these originated from banding sites outside the region.

Of particular note, 11 birds banded at the Lake Ellesmere site have been recovered. 10 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.

More Than Just The Pond Provides

Whio the dog with the twenty-nine parries that were harvested between three hunters in a paddock hunt during the long weekend.

When most hunters think of waterfowl hunting, they picture birds decoying over ponds, lakes, or rivers.

However, some of the most productive hunting opportunities can be found away from the water. Waterfowl spend a significant amount of time in paddocks, either feeding, loafing, or resting, making these areas well worth scouting.

Success when hunting over land comes down to one key factor: concealment. This is where layout blinds can make a huge difference. Their low-profile design allows hunters to blend seamlessly into the paddock without creating any major changes to the landscape. Because birds are often wary of anything out of place, staying low to the ground can help reduce suspicion and increase your chances of getting birds within range.

To further improve your setup, consider incorporating full-body decoys into your spread. Full-body decoys offer a realistic appearance from a distance and, when used in a variety of feeding, resting, and alert postures, can closely mimic the behaviour of real birds. An added advantage is that they help break up the outline of your layout blind, making it even harder for approaching birds to detect.

The view of the decoy spread from the layout blinds during this paddock hunt.

Another benefit of layout blinds is the flexibility they provide. Depending on the crop or cover available, hunters can often position themselves right in the middle of a paddock, allowing them to set up exactly where the birds want to be rather than being restricted to paddock edges or fencelines.

The next time you're out scouting, don't just focus on waterways. Pay close attention to the paddocks where birds are feeding or gathering. If you locate a promising spot, take a few photos and note how the birds are positioned and behaving. This information can be invaluable when setting your decoy spread, helping you create a more natural and convincing setup.

Most importantly, always seek permission from the landowner before accessing or hunting private property. Respectful communication and responsible hunting practices help maintain good relationships and ensure opportunities remain available for future seasons.

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 18 June 2026

Warm Barrels!

Jackson Meecham & the team at North Canterbury Fish & Game