Welcome to the Fish & Game Hunting Knowledge Hub.
New Zealand offers a wide range of game bird hunting opportunities.
Understanding where to hunt is crucial for game bird hunting success.
Game bird hunting starts the first full weekend in May annually throughout the country.
Having the right gear is crucial for both success and safety in the field.
Explore this page for helpful guidance on preparation, safety and effective shooting practices.
Maimai, also known as hunting blinds, are a cornerstone of New Zealand waterfowl hunting culture.
Duck calling is a fundamental and very rewarding part of duck hunting.
Decoys are an important part of duck hunting.
A trained retrieving dog can greatly enhance your hunting experience.
Fish & Game manages game birds, but a few other species are targeted and considered desirable for food in New Zealand.
When you take up game bird hunting, you will gain access to some of the finest wild game ingredients.
Game bird hunting gives you access to some of the finest wild ingredients, prized for their rich, natural flavour.
Fish & Game New Zealand encourages all hunters to act responsibly and uphold the highest ethical standards while in the field.
Protect Our Waterways: How you can help to stop invasive pests
H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has now been detected in New Zealand.
We invite readers to share their feedback, suggestions, and ideas for improvement.
It is a legal requirement to have a game bird hunting licence to hunt game birds in New Zealand (except privately owned land you reside on).…