Ballots for Otago Fish & Game managed wetlands are held annually.

Priority is given to junior and novice game bird hunters to access maimais and hunting locations at Otago Fish & Game's managed wetlands. We have a wheelchair accessible maimai at Inch Clutha for whom priority is given to mobility-impaired people. 

Ballots open at the start of December and are drawn on February 1. 

Otago Fish & Game has six managed wetlands where licence holders can hunt game birds.

  • Takitakitoa (Four maimais)
  • Inch Clutha (Wheelchair accessible maimai and separate hunting location with no maimai.)
  • Toko Mouth (One maimai.)
  • Otokia (Two maimais)
  • Waitepeka (Two hunting locations. Bring your own portable blind.)
  • Paerau Wetland (No maimai. Bring your own portable blind.)     

A junior hunter must be accompanied by an adult (one adult per junior).

Each permit is for a total of two hunters. 

Current balloted permits apply from the opening period, May 2-10, 2026. 

The 2026 ballot closed on February 1 and was drawn on February 2.

Hunters must have current game bird and firearms licences before entering the wetlands.

Marking-up of balloted Otago Fish & Game wetlands is not permitted.