Otago

Otago offers game bird hunters a wide variety of experiences, from decoying mobs of mallards over coastal wetlands, calling in paradise shelducks onto farm paddocks, to flushing quail in high-country scrubland.

Otago Hunting Information

Fish & Game Otago has all sorts of information to help your game bird hunting:

• Otago Fish and Game Council Facebook page: Follow us on Facebook for regular updates.
• The Game Call: Sign up to our fortnightly Otago regional hunting report during the game bird season. Click here to subscribe. 
• Fish & Game New Zealand magazines: Our office and licence agents have free additional copies of the Fish & Game magazine. You can read them online by selecting here too.
• Hunting advice: We can advise you on all aspects of hunting and hunting areas.
• Wetlands and ponds: Otago staff are happy to discuss and visit a site to advise on wetland creation or enhancement.

• More information: Email [email protected] or phone our Dunedin office (03) 477 9076.

Land Access

A hunting licence does not give you access to any land. Riverbeds of the larger rivers are usually Crown-owned, but you should still clear access to these with the appropriate local council. All farms are privately owned and permission must be obtained first from farm owners, but make your enquiries about access for the shooting season after the lambing season (October), and before the end of February as this is a fairly quiet time for most farmers.

Otago Fish & Game has several wildlife management reserves you can access. Many have permanent maimais, which are balloted for each year. Click on the panels above to learn more about ballots, permits and Fish & Game-managed wetlands. 

Consider the possibility of building your own hunter-assisted wetland. Most farms have an unproductive, marshy area that could be restored. Applications to our Habitat Enhance Fund can be made to support this restoration work.

Maimai plans

Otago Fish & Game have some simple plans and you can watch this video that gives you insight into how to build it.

Mallards

The stronghold of the mallard population is in the fertile and productive farmlands of south and west Otago. Large numbers of mallards can also be found on coastal estuaries, the Lake Waihola/Waipori wetlands, Lake Tuakitoto, Lower Taieri and Upper Taieri wetland areas.

Lakes Waihola and Waipori are two large coastal lakes set in a wetland complex including the renowned Sinclair Wetlands. The lakes and much of the wetland complex is publicly owned and hunters can claim a hunting possie.

After the opening weekend rush, there is always a vacant maimai to hunt from and some good bags are taken right through the season. The same can be said for Lake Tuakitoto further south and the lower Clutha and Taieri rivers.

California Quail

Upland game hunting for California quail is mostly on private property in Otago. Coveys are scattered throughout the drier parts of Central Otago and Southern Lakes districts.

They can be found in dry shrubland on hillsides, scrubby river margins, forestry, orchards, vineyards, and rural gardens. Their favoured habitat includes briar rose, matagouri, bracken, blackberry and gorse.

Permission from landowners is required before hunting.

Public Land Hunting Opportunities in Otago

Public Conservation Land (PCL) managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) offers a selection of game bird hunting opportunities in the region. To hunt on these lands, you are required to hold both a valid Fish & Game NZ hunting licence and a specific DOC game bird hunting permit.

1. Waterfowl Hunting in Coastal Otago

Coastal Otago features four specific game bird hunting blocks on Public Conservation Land. Three are located in the Greater Taieri Plains area (between Mosgiel and Waihola), and the fourth is in the Akatore Estuary south of Dunedin.

For full details, including interactive location data and specific block rules, visit the official DOC page:  DOC: Game bird hunting in Coastal Otago

Hunting Blocks 

• Akatore Estuary

• Allanton Wildlife Management Reserve

• Waipori/Waihola Wetlands

• McKays Triangle

How to get your Coastal Permit: These areas are covered by a Restricted Area Permit. To apply, email the Dunedin DOC Office ([email protected]) with:

• Full name, residential address, and phone number.

• Your current Fish & Game NZ licence number.

• Dog Owners: If hunting with a dog, you must also provide its name, breed, colour, sex, and current council registration number to obtain the mandatory dog permit.

2. Upland Game & Inland Waterfowl

DOC also provides access to three inland blocks. Permits for these areas are typically managed through the local district offices or the online permit system:

• Bendigo Scenic Reserve: Upland game (California quail, chukar).

• Blackstone Hill Conservation Area: Upland game.

• Diamond Lake & Lake Reid: Waterfowl (Wildlife Management Reserve).

For online permits, select this DOC page: Hunting: Things to do

3. Essential Hunter Responsibilities

• Identify Your Target: Many protected species (such as the Grey Teal) frequent these wetlands. You must positively identify your target before shooting.

• Non-Toxic Shot: Lead shot is prohibited within 200m of any open water for waterfowl hunting.

• Season Dates: Ensure you are hunting within the official season dates set by Fish & Game.

On or Near Public Land

Hunters must be careful and considerate around other people and their property. When hunting on or near public land be aware of two relevant sections of the Arms Act 1983 – sections 45 and 48.