Strong turnout for game bird season opening
The 2025 game bird season is underway with Hawke’s Bay and Southland reporting the ideal weather conditions for hunters – rain and wind.
Fish & Game has declared a special two-day hunting season for paradise shelduck to help farmers disperse flocks which can damage pastures and crops.
The special season will run from 6.30am, Saturday, March 1, until 8pm on Sunday March 2, in Game Management Areas B and C only. The daily bag limit has been set at 10 paradise shelduck per hunter.
Fish & Game officer Allen Stancliff says the aim is to disperse the ducks, moving them back to their home territories after their annual moult. "This reduces the potential for mobs to cause damage to recovering hay paddocks, chicory crops and areas of new grass, before the main game bird hunting season gets underway in May."
Hunters who want to take part in the special season must hold a 2013 game bird hunting licence and obtain a $5 permit from Fish & Game or local licence agent. The permit's free to land occupiers who want to hunt on the land they're occupying.
Stancliff says the special March season applies to paradise shelduck only, and all other game birds remain protected. Fish & Game rangers will be out checking on compliance over the two days.
"This is a great opportunity for some enjoyable summer hunting that helps farmers – all we ask is that hunters stick to the rules."
Breaches including shooting protected species or more than the bag limit, or possessing 12- gauge lead shot within 200m of water, can lead to stiff fines and the loss of gear. Penalties include a maximum fine of $5,000 and possible forfeiture of shotguns and hunting equipment.
"Also please remember you need permission to hunt on private land – don't forget to ask the hunter or landowner."
