Otago - The Game Call - 30 July 2026

Our favourite pick from Round 7 of the “Shot of the Season” Otago game bird photo competition: this photo of Carter (4) and Jack Rhodes (9) with 7-year-old Lab Rusty, was taken during the last two weeks of the mallard season on the Purerua in South Otago.

Logan Rhodes says the kids are mad on the outdoors. Whether it’s fishing, duck shooting or hunting other animals, they all love to tag along. “Can’t keep those boys inside during the duck season.” Photo: Logan Rhodes.

From first ducks to final flights

Welcome to another edition of The Game Call – your fortnightly Otago regional hunting report. 

In this issue:

• That's a wrap for mallards
• First season, first duck
• Gun and dog
• Teamwork
• Give it a go
• Swans
• Paradise shelducks
• Bird flu
• Bring on the next one
• 'Shot of the Season' Otago photo comp
• Gundog trial weekend
• Waterfowl feathers wanted

That’s a wrap for mallards

Cole Briggs finished the season with a flourish bagging his first mallard on the last weekend. Photo: Mason Court.

Otago’s mallard/grey and New Zealand shoveler duck season is done and dusted for another year. 

We hope you grabbed every opportunity to get outdoors this season, bring home some tasty wild kai, and make memories with friends and whānau.

The good news is you can still head out hunting for paradise shelduck, black swans (in Area B) and upland game birds until August 30.

First season, first duck

This season Ngaio Emson harvested her first paradise shelduck, which was retrieved by German shorthaired pointer Aya. Photo: Mason Court.

It was a season of firsts for Wānaka’s Ngaio Emson.

Ngaio loves being outdoors and trying new things. After doing a bit of big game hunting, game bird hunting has always been on her list to try.  The 2026 season was her first, and she celebrated by harvesting her first duck — a paradise shelduck.

“I didn't have any experience with game bird hunting, but I have shot — and also missed — plenty of clay targets,” Ngaio says.

Early in the season, Ngaio headed out to hunt ducks on public water with her partner Mason and their German shorthaired pointer, Aya.

“After a week of drizzle and low cloud we were hoping for similar conditions come the weekend. This wasn't the case and we were greeted with a cold but clear sunny day,” she says. 

“There weren't huge amounts of ducks flying, and many that were high and out of range — for me anyway.

“But after Mason called in a few, he gave me the go-ahead when they were nice and close, and I managed to pull off a shot which downed one of the parries. It came down around the corner of the bay we were set up on the lake, so after waiting to see if any more birds were flying in, we took the boat out with the dog to find the duck. 

“I couldn't see where it had gone down at first, so was a bit worried about finding it. But it was a simple job for our dog, who, once dropped off the side of the boat, had the duck back to us in no time. 

“Once the duck was safely in the boat, the excitement kicked in. It was a great experience to see such a beautiful bird up close like that and to see it handled so carefully by the dog.”

Gun and dog

Ngaio and Aya watch the sky for ducks. Photo: Mason Court.

Having her own 20-gauge shotgun and a trained gun dog, Aya, has been a big help during Ngaio’s first game bird hunting season.

“I absolutely love my 20-gauge shotgun. I think it is so important to use a gun you feel comfortable handling and shooting,” she says. 

“I think it is quite common for people to pick up a 12-gauge because that is what is often available, but especially for women, I would encourage anyone to try a sub-gauge for size as well. 

“Not being afraid of recoil definitely makes you a better shooter. And watching our pointer work was probably my favourite part of the experience. 

“The second the hunting gear comes out she can barely contain her excitement, and when it came time to retrieve the duck she was straight into the action. She wasn't too keen to sit still for the photo because she was very impatient to retrieve some more.”

Teamwork

Hunting with her partner Mason made the experience even more enjoyable, Ngaio says.

“It's fun to celebrate successes and commiserate over misses with another person.

“It's great if they have experience in the sport as well, not just the shooting but with knowledge about things like decoy patterns, spot selection and building a maimai. I gained a lot from watching this part of the process. 

“I also enjoyed having Mason as my personal duck caller, as that is something that is definitely not yet part of my skillset.”

Give it a go

To other women who are curious about game bird hunting but feel intimidated about getting started, Ngaio suggests going along to a shoot at a local clay target club.

“In my experience all of the regular club members are excited to have new people try the sport and are more than happy to offer tips if asked,” she says. 

“This is helpful to feel more confident if you don't have much experience handling a shotgun. But then just take people up on the invite to go along for a hunt and give it a go. Don't let being the only woman there stop you.”

Bird flu – High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI)

H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has now been detected in New Zealand.

Normal game bird hunting continues within season, with some sensible precautions. So far, no game bird species have tested positive for H5N1. Fish & Game is working alongside Biosecurity New Zealand (MPI), the lead agency, and we will keep you updated as things develop. For more information, select here: High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) - Fish & Game

Black swans 

Black swans are common around coastal Otago.

This game bird was introduced to New Zealand from Australia by settlers in the 1860s, although it is suspected that some may also have naturally colonised here. Although black swans are widely scattered throughout the country, their population is not considered high enough in Central Otago to permit hunting for them in that part of the region.

• Hunting for black swans is permitted in Area B of Otago: the Clutha River catchment downstream from the Clyde Dam; the Taieri River catchment and all the coastal catchments between Shag Point and The Brothers Point on the east coast of the South Island.
• By legally harvesting some of them, you’re helping to manage these birds.
• The legal daily bag limit in Otago is 10 — and that’s a lot of sausages!

Paradise shelducks

A female putangitangi/paradise shelduck harvested in Central Otago. Photo: Mason Court.

This season’s increased bag limit of 15 parries reflects their strong population in Otago.

A record number of moulting parries were counted across the region last January — the highest since trend counts began more than 30 years ago. 

• After months of hunting pressure, many parries are wary.  A well-concealed hunter is often more important than having dozens of decoys. 
• Spend time glassing to identify where they're feeding, then seek permission from the landowner before hunting there. 
• Respect the resource, value our game birds and eat what we shoot.
• Stuck for cooking ideas? Click on this link Recipes - Fish & Game, including a tasty recipe for Asian Fusion Paradise Duck Tacos.

Bring on the next one

Ryder (12) and Saxon (14) Hellewell with their last mallard of the 2026 season. Photo: John Hellewell

West Otago’s Hellewell family has been getting out game bird hunting throughout the 2026 season and can’t wait for next year.

“We’re already looking forward to the next one,” says their dad, John. “We are very lucky that we get the opportunity. It’s cool the kids experience that sort of thing.”

For the Hellewells, duck hunting is a family tradition which goes back generations.

“We have four boys,” says John. “One of them lives in Auckland but he comes down in the duck season. It’s the only time we see him!”

‘Shot of the Season’ — Otago Game Bird Photo Competition

Thank you to everyone who entered the Shot of the Season – Otago Game Bird Photo Competition this season.

Every fortnight we've showcased a favourite image that captures the people, places and experiences that make game bird hunting in Otago special.

The overall 2026 winner will be announced in the final The Game Call of the season on Thursday, August 13. The winner will receive a duck hunters' prize pack, generously sponsored by Dunedin Hunting & Fishing NZ.

Be sure to read the final edition to see the winning photo. Good luck to everyone who entered, and thanks for sharing your season with us.

Pukeko survey

• Next week, Otago Fish & Game will conduct our annual pukeko monitoring survey. 
• If you see any groups of pukeko greater than 10, please contact Steve Dixon with the numbers of pukeko seen and a location (GPS coordinates if possible).
• Email [email protected]

Gundog trial weekend

Working Gundogs NZ Inc is inviting hunters, handlers and dog enthusiasts to its inaugural retrieving trial weekend at Toko Mouth in South Otago.

The two-day event will run this weekend, 1-2 August, featuring three trial classes from Novice through to Open Championship, showcasing the skill, steadiness and training of working gundogs in realistic field conditions.

• For further details or to register interest, contact Terry and Maree Wilson at
  [email protected].
• Local training days are also held monthly in the South Otago region for those wanting to get involved or improve their dog work ahead of the next season.

Wanted: Waterfowl feathers for cloak

University of Otago PhD student Lia Heremia is looking for ethically sourced waterfowl feathers to make a traditional kahu huruhuru (feather cloak) using the same species that are the focus of her research.

• If you have clean feathers from legally harvested ducks or swans that you would be willing to donate, Lia would love to hear from you. 
• Feathers from a range of waterfowl species are welcome.
• Please contact Lia directly at [email protected].

Got any Otago game bird hunting news?

Nine-year-old Cesky Fousek Phin checks out the results of his morning’s work with Bruce Quirey during the last weekend of the season. Photo: Ian Hadland.

Send your hunting news and photos to [email protected] for consideration in the Regional Hunting Report.