The North Canterbury region has lots of game bird hunting opportunities.
Most of the public land is administered by the Canterbury Regional Council and the Department of Conservation. Either of these organisations or Fish & Game North Canterbury will be able to assist you with any access inquiries relating to public land. Fish & Game North Canterbury has a “Game bird Hunter Access” publication available to assist hunters with access issues and it is available from the Fish & Game office or from major game licence outlets. You can also click on the links below to download area-specific access pamphlets.
The North Canterbury Fish & Game Region stretches from the south bank of the Rakaia to the headwaters of the Waiau, from the Southern Alps to the sea. Habitats range from coastal dunes to shallow wetlands and wide riverbeds, high country lakes and mountain valleys.
Mallard ducks are the most abundant and popular game bird in the region. They have adapted well to the developed agricultural land which dominates the North Canterbury landscape. The paradise shelduck is the next most popular species among hunters in the region and like the mallard, also does well in developed land.
Upland game birds are less prolific than in some other Fish & Game regions but reasonable California quail numbers are present in the middle reaches of the braided riverbeds. Small pheasant populations are also present but are not sufficiently abundant to withstand heavy hunting pressure. There is a short open season for cock pheasant hunting in the North Canterbury region, consult your regulations guide for more details.
A number of pheasant hunters appear to be confused about the exact location of the boundary between the North Canterbury and Central South Island Fish & Game Regions. This is a problem because there is a longer open season and higher daily limit bag for pheasant hunting in the Central South Island region. A number of hunters have been caught in breach of the North Canterbury rules, thinking they were hunting in the Central South Island region. To set the record straight the North Canterbury boundary to Central South Island Region is Acton Road which runs from Rakaia township east to the sea.
To stay up-to date with everything North Canterbury Fish & Game related be sure to follow both respective Facebook and Instagram Pages for the region.
Click here to view the Facebook: North Canterbury Fish & Game Facebook
Click here to view the Instagram: North Canterbury Fish & Game Instagram