Otago - The Game Call - 19 June 2025

Wet Start, Strong Finish for Matariki Weekend

Welcome to the Matariki long weekend edition of The Game Call, your fortnightly Otago Regional Hunting Report.

Pictured above: Moss the GSP on the job for the boss this season. Credit: Jack Pow.

A frosty valley on the Pomahaka River this week. Credit: Jayde Couper.

The Matariki long weekend is here, offering a great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy some time pursuing waterfowl and upland game birds. While there’s some wet weather on the cards, it looks like conditions will improve after Friday across much of the region.

Expect a few showers and some strong winds on Friday, which will help to move birds around, especially in coastal areas like Dunedin and Clutha. By Saturday, things clear up inland and ease across the coast, with fine spells returning and more settled weather through Saturday and early Sunday.

Central Otago is looking particularly promising for those chasing upland game birds.

It’s a good chance to get outdoors, connect with friends and whānau, and take part in the traditions that Matariki celebrates – including time on the land.

Reports around the region

Taieri:

• Ducks have been attracted to surface water on grass paddocks after rain over the past two weeks, says Dan Kunac. The likelihood of more rain this weekend creates opportunities for hunting from a layout blind. It’s important to cover your blind to imitate the surroundings. If you don’t have stand-up decoys, use floaters in the puddles. Remember to ask for permission for access from the landowner.
• The Taieri River is flowing above median levels and could be suitable for a drift hunt. Check out these links:
  • Upper Taieri drifts - Fish & Game
  • Lower Taieri drift - Fish & Game

For the latest river conditions, go to the ORC Environmental Data Portal.

West Otago:

Surface water next to a Pomahaka tributary in West Otago yesterday. Credit: Jayde Couper.

• Jack Pow has been out for a couple of recent evening shoots, harvesting about a dozen ducks each time on some ponds.
• Ponds were frozen in the morning but had less ice by evening, and ducks were returning to the pools. Birds had been feeding close by on farm paddocks, eating worms and leftover feed.
• Scouting becomes even more important now — no two areas are the same. Look for where birds are loafing during the day and feeding in the evening to set up in the right spot at the right time.
• Jack recommends looking for birds loafing on the rivers during the day, especially near crop paddocks.
• Otago Fish & Game staff observed small groups of five to 10 mallards along the Pomahaka River this week.

• Elliott Budge and a couple of mates recently hunted over a maize paddock in West Otago. After a couple of days of scouting, they saw the mallards were living on a pond nearby and would head to the maize in the afternoon. The trio harvested 51 birds. “The birds made for good shooting and committed to the decoys very well,” he said. “We noticed higher numbers of drakes this year compared with other seasons.” 

The harvest from an afternoon hunt over a maize paddock in West Otago. Credit: Elliott Budge.

Lower Clutha:

Lower Clutha tributaries often hold mallards, especially near crop paddocks. Credit: Steve Dixon.

• The lower Clutha River level was dropping at the time of writing. Gravel banks which have been submerged under high flows will become more exposed, creating more potential loafing areas for birds.

Central Otago:  

Mallards at the top of Lake Wānaka this week. Credit: Mason Court.

• With parts of Central Otago recently caught in a sub-zero inversion layer, hunters have needed to search further afield for ducks.
  Henry, from Queenstown Hunting & Fishing, says hunters are finding ponds that shot well early season are no longer holding birds.
  Mallards have been seen sheltering in bays at the top of the big lakes.
  Hunters are also searching the rivers for good camps of mallards and then returning to hunt them the next day. If you’re chasing upland game birds, conditions look fair on Saturday and Sunday despite the chance of showers.

The art of blending in

Lupins added to previously grassed layout blinds helped to break up the outline and blend into the other lupin along the river’s edge. Credit: Mason Court.

As the season progresses, many hunters begin venturing further afield in pursuit of birds that have grown wary of their usual haunts.

One of the most versatile tools for this is the layout blind, which allows hunters to set up almost anywhere with minimal disturbance.

• The key to a successful layout blind setup is brushing it in properly. Just like fly anglers “match the hatch,” hunters should “match the cover”. That means your blind should try blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment.
• Before setting up, take a moment to scout the area. Is the landscape dominated by rank grass, small shrubs, or scattered rocks? In more open or exposed areas, look for natural cover like driftwood or hollows that can help break up your outline and avoid drawing attention.
• A helpful tip seen recently was using a battery-powered hedge trimmer to quickly cut down long grass — an efficient way to gather cover in seconds. Just remember: collect the grass from a spot away from your blind, so you don’t leave a bare patch right next to your set-up that gives you away.

Upland: going further to find coveys

Jamie Ward surveys likely quail habitat in the Ida Valley. Insert: The rose among the matagouri thorns: a cock quail in full colour. They taste as good as they look. Credit: Mason Court.

Don’t be afraid to put in the miles when hunting quail in Central Otago — sometimes success means going that bit further to locate coveys.

• Last weekend, Otago Fish & Game Operations Manager Jamie Ward observed quail moving up off the valley floor, taking advantage of the early morning sun during a hunt in the Ida Valley.
• With the recent snowmelt, however, the birds now seem to be spreading back out across the broader landscape. Jamie reported regularly encountering smaller coveys of six to 12 birds.
• He also recommends keeping a close eye on feed sources — particularly briar rosehips — as coveys were often found nearby. These high-value food patches can be reliable hotspots during cooler months.

As always, take the time to position yourself safely and sensibly when approaching likely holding areas — especially when your dog starts showing interest or birds are spotted. Being prepared in that moment can make all the difference when a covey flushes. Keep track of where the un-shot birds land, as they often offer another chance.

Baiting operations

Pisa North:

Upland game hunters in the Pisa North area are cautioned to take care of their dogs due to an upcoming aerial possum control operation using sodium fluoroacetate (1080) cereal pellets.

• CWACNZL has been contracted by OSPRI NZ to carry out the control operation in the area.
• The treatment area consists of the Luggate Creek and Alice Burn catchments about 8km south-east of Wanaka in the Pisa Range.
• The operation will begin as soon as practicable after July 1, 2025, depending on the weather.
• They will first apply non-toxic pre-feed to increase the effectiveness of the operation.
• This will be followed by toxic 1080 baits (green in colour) usually after 7–10 days.
• Warning signs will be erected at points of access and will remain in place while toxic baits are present and/or poisoned possum carcasses may be present.

If you require a map of the operational area, please contact 021 231 9712 or email [email protected].

Strath Taieri and Clutha Buffer:

High Country Contracting will be conducting control operations including a variety of ground-based methods to target possums in the Strath Taieri and Clutha Buffer TB Management Areas. The operations including trapping and poisons are due to start on July 1.

For more information or maps:

• Strath Taieri TMA operation, phone 022 061 2026, or email [email protected]
• Clutha Buffer TMA operation, phone 0508 767 786, or email [email protected]

Bird flu risk ‘currently low’

The likelihood of the High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus strain reaching New Zealand is currently low, but the risk would increase if it spreads to the West Pacific or Australia, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) advised this week.

• The HPAI H5N1 strain 2.3.4.4b has caused widespread outbreaks in wild birds, poultry, and mammals around the world, but has not yet been detected in New Zealand, Australia, or the South Pacific.
• If the virus arrives, it is very likely to spread quickly among wild bird populations due to natural bird movements, especially among waterfowl and shorebirds, according to MPI’s latest assessment issued on Tuesday, June 17.
• Game birds such as ducks and swans may be at risk if exposed to contaminated water, feed, or environments.
• Hunters are encouraged to remain informed and practise good biosecurity around birds. For updates and more information, visit www.mpi.govt.nz/HPAI.

Shot of the Season: Otago Game Bird Photo Competition

Not every one has to be shot... well at least not before posing for a photo! Photo: Blair Arthur

This fortnight’s “Shot of the Season” winner is by Blair Arthur. Blair took the photo above on a pond he has shot on for more than 40 years. “Lucky to have Big Bro on the family farm in the Ida Valley!” Blair says.

Show us your best photo shots from the great outdoors!

Otago's game bird season isn't just about the harvest — it's about the memories made and stories shared. This season, we're celebrating the photographers among our hunting community with the "Shot of the Season" photo competition.

Every fortnight, we'll select one outstanding photo that captures the essence of game bird hunting in Otago. Each featured photographer will go into the running for our grand prize worth $250, sponsored by Dunedin Hunting & Fishing, to be announced at the end of the season.

Submit your entries:

• Email: [email protected]
• Subject line: Photo competition
• A brief caption describing the photo including names (from left) of any people or pawed hunting buddies.

Fortnightly winners featured every second Thursday throughout the season.

Game Bird Recipe Competition: put your wild kai to the test!

Got a special way in the kitchen with mallards? A tantalising technique for parries? Show off your culinary skills in our Game Bird Recipe Competition!

Every two weeks during hunting season, you’ll have the opportunity to win a copy of The Fish + Game Cookbook, by Angelo Georgalli, for the most impressive game bird recipe. Whether it's a family recipe passed down for generations or your own creative invention, we want to see how you transform your wild kai from outdoors to table.

Simply submit:

• your name
• your recipe
• a photo of your prepared dish
• brief story about your hunt
• Email to: [email protected]
• Subject line: Recipe competition
• Entries must be received by midnight every second Sunday.
• Winners announced fortnightly!

Good hunting and better cooking!

Fish & Game wetlands – Paerau Reserve

Paerau Wetland at the confluence of Logan Burn and the Taieri River on Loganburn Ford Rd in the Styx Basin. Credit: Jayde Coupe.

The 45ha Paerau Wetland is a part of the Taieri scroll plain in the Styx Basin.

The Fish & Game-managed wetland is on the true right-hand side of the Upper Taieri River upstream of the confluence with the Logan Burn. 

Fish & Game has installed stiles on either side of the Logan Burn mouth. Reaching the second stile will require getting your feet wet, which is likely unavoidable if you plan to continue up the Taieri.

Vehicle access is on the true left of Logan Burn via Upper Taieri Paerau Road, 1km south of Loganburn Ford Rd. Follow the track on the true left of Logan Burn for about 1km. You will then need to walk the last 300 metres to reach the edge of the wetland. Hunting is on an oxbow. There is no maimai.

The wetland is bounded by the Taieri River and a private fence. The terrain is boggy and subject to flooding and freezing.

To view a map and for more details, click here.

Game bird hunting is by permit only. To apply for a permit, click here.

Weather outlook

Wind forecast: 8am Friday June 20, 2025. Credit: www.windy.com.

Wind forecast: 8am Saturday June 21, 2025. Credit: www.windy.com.

Dunedin:
Friday, a few showers, more persistent in the afternoon. Westerlies, becoming strong for a time in the afternoon. Saturday, a few showers, clearing to fine in the morning. Westerlies turning northerly. Sunday, mostly cloudy, with the chance of a shower. Northerlies, turning to fresh westerlies.

Clutha Rural:
Friday, showers, some heavy in the afternoon. Strong westerlies, easing in the afternoon. Saturday, mostly cloudy with isolated showers, clearing to fine in the morning. Westerlies turning northerly. Sunday, partly cloudy, with showers developing, some heavy. Northerlies, turning to fresh westerlies. 

Central Otago:
Friday, a few showers. Northwesterlies, turning southwesterly at night. Saturday, mainly fine, chance of a shower until afternoon. Northwesterlies developing. Sunday, partly cloudy, with a chance of a shower. Light winds.

Please note: This weather update is current at the time of publishing. We recommend checking the latest forecasts and road conditions before heading out. Click here for updates from MetService or Windy.com.

Local regulations

Planning to hunt in another region? Be sure you know the local regulations.

• Each region has its own set of regulations working in conjunction with the national regulations.
• These include bag limits and season lengths.
• Download regulation booklets for each individual region from the Fish & Game website by selecting here.

Grab your hunting licence online and let the adventures begin.

Got any Otago game bird hunting news?

Send your hunting news and photos (with hunters’ names) to [email protected] for consideration in the Regional Hunting Report.

Warm barrels,

Otago Fish & Game