Local Hunting Regulations

2    Shooting Hours

6.30am to 6.30pm.
 

3    Decoy Limit

No limit.
 

4.    Upland Game Properties with Special Conditions

Upland Game Area A: The area of land owned by the Gloriavale Christian Community clearly signposted and confined to that part of the Haupiri River Valley upstream of the Haupiri River Bridge (NZTM reference 1495313E, 5285772N). The land is contained in Certificates of Title WS5A/972, WS5D/97, WS5A/973, WS5B/308, WS5B/309, WS2D/1052, WS2A/905, WS5A/545, WS2A/1197 owned by the Christian Church Community Trust, and WS8A/680 owned by F. and
P. Stedfast, situated at 189 Heaphy Road, Lake Haupiri, and land titles WS1A/1421, WS2D/876, WS1B/486, WS8C/1072, WS8C/1073, WS2D/854, WS8A/681, and WS5B/311 owned by the Christian Church Community Trust, situated at 82 Wallace Road, Lake Haupiri.
 

CONTACT

Office:        Airport Drive Hokitika
Postal address:    P.O. Box 179, Hokitika 7842
Phone:        (03) 755-8546
Fax:        (03) 755-6540
 

HUNTING ON THE WEST COAST

The primary attractions for game bird hunters on the Coast is the diversity of habitat, providing for a range of species, but predominately grey and mallard duck. (and hybrids thereof).

Shoveler, paradise shelduck and pukeko are widespread while populations of Canada geese inhabit many major river valleys, also Lakes in the central part of the region.

In general, developed valleys with improved pasture and open drains offer the best waterfowl hunting – particularly for mallards, pukeko and shelduck – however riverbeds, bush ponds and coastal wetlands – most of which are on Department of Conservation (DOC) administered land – also provide excellent opportunity. Some relatively unexploited hunting opportunities remain in South Westland river valleys south of Harihari.

For anybody planning a trip to hunt the West Coast, Fish & Game can provide advice on key landowners to contact.

At the present time there are few problems with access to hunting on land administered by DOC, however if in doubt about land tenure contact the nearest DOC office (refer below) for a permit.

Department of Conservation contact numbers
Greymouth    03 768 0427
Hokitika    03 756 9100
Buller        03 788 8008
Sth. Westland    03 7510807

Game bird hunting is permitted in six Scenic Reserves; Hunters wishing to shoot at Lakes Rotokino, Ianthe, Arthur, Swan and Lady, or Saltwater lagoon are required to request a permit from DOC before the end of March. In the event of problems contact Fish & Game.

If hunting in riverbeds or along bermlands contact with adjacent landowners is recommended. Their advice could well add value to your hunting.

Please note that it is unlawful to use or possess lead shot when hunting waterfowl within 200 metres of any open water wider than 3 metres.

Paradise Duck Hunting
A phone call to one of the contacts listed below will be of great assistance for visitors seeking shelduck hunting opportunities.

March is a very good time to hunt Paradise ducks because flocks will contain juveniles yet to receive their education on being hunted. Some recommended spots during this period are the Ahaura/Lake Haupiri and Lake Poerua/Taramakau catchments, also the Wanganui, Waiho Waitaha and Whataroa valleys in South Westland.

It is so important to do it right the first time, and to this end the following advice is important;

•    Phone a local contact above to locate birds, then, if possible observe their movements for a day or two before hunting.
•    Construct a hide with minimum disturbance and using natural vegetation where available. Paradise ducks will usually avoid a paddock that looks different than the previous visit.
•    Use plenty of decoys – facing into the wind.
•    Use camouflaged clothing and keep movement to a minimum.
•    Often it’s best to let an incoming mob land, then flush and shoot.
•    Although they look like they’re moving slowly Paradise ducks can fly at up to 80km/hr. If you are not hitting them increase your lead by swinging through the target more quickly.

Most private landowners will react favourably to reasonable requests for access to hunt. The contacts listed below are recommended for hunters seeking new areas, particularly to hunt parries. It is essential to phone the landowner before visiting and to respect any reasons they may have for limiting access.

Area     Property contact     Ph number    Area     Property contact     Ph number
Ahaura     B Rogatski           7380225    Kowhitirangi    N Aldred    7557932    
Ahaura     M Bray                 7323576    Kowhitirangi    T Sheridan    7557227
Ahaura     R Becker              7323879    Maimai     G Neylon     7328382
Ahaura    A Becker               7323576    Maimai    P Searle    7328601
Ahaura    C Brake                 7323080    Mawheraiti    K Harvey    0272228360
Ahaura    G Paterson            7323140    Mawheraiti     W Sturkenboom     7328312
Atarau     A Berry                 7323856    Mawheraiti    M Campbell    7328320
Atarau     C Van der Geest    7323718    Ngahere    C Fayan    7324443
Atarau     G O’Connor           7323859    Ngahere     Hill (Bros)     7324860
Atarau     J Liddell                 7323747    Reefton    J Bell    0274459507
Atarau     M Mills                  7323001    Ross     D Linklater     7554184
Atarau     P Berry                  7323856    Totara Flat    P Hunter    7323605
Atarau     R Little                  7323034    Totara Flat     L Truman     7323714
Atarau     W Kennedy            7323594    Totara Flat     P Kennedy     7323705
Atarau    G Graham              7323063    Totara Flat     R Begg     7323706
Atarau    P Jefferies              7680193    Totara Flat     S Griggs     7323729
Barrytown  George Coates    7311805    Waiho     C Brooks     7520713
Bell Hill    Peter Aitken          7380432    Waimaunga     J Baynes     7323533
Taylorville    A Robb             7625282    Waimaunga     J Clayton     7323843
HariHari     T Denham          7573125    Whataroa     A Van Der Poel     7534047
Haupiri     C Egan                 7380389            
Haupiri     H Temple(G.C.C)  7380224            
Haupiri     J Butcher              7380227            
Haupiri     Waikiti Downs      7380609            
Ikamatua     G Prendergast   7323518            
Ikamatua    R Lemon            7323525            
Ikamatua     M Fitzgerald     7323577            
Ikamatua     P McLennan      7323755            
Ikamatua     B Meyer            7323660            
Karamea     Ron Gourley      7826712            
Kokiri     D Bradley              7625798            
Kokiri     (C.M.P)                  7625055            
 

TIPS FOR HUNTING ON THE WEST COAST

The key to success in all hunting is to be observant and to recognise that game bird movements and feeding patterns change in response to the time of year and availability of food. In the case of geese and shelduck, feeding patterns are largely dictated by the location of preferred pasture. Prevailing weather patterns also have a large influence on where concentrations of birds will be at certain times. For example during wet periods in June/July intensively grazed paddocks are favoured by mallards seeking high protein in the form of worms and grubs. Seed from fed out hay and baleage is also a favoured food source. During frosty periods drains and wet areas with willow (pig) weed infestations may be popular. Observant hunters will notice that birds alter their daily habits and flight patterns in response to length of daylight hours, prevailing weather and level of disturbance.

In general waterfowl tend to avoid large open water bodies during rough windy weather, preferring sheltered swampy margins and farm drains.

Similarly, during extended frosty periods there is often good hunting in small running creeks and small ponds with a bush canopy.

Many hunters become frustrated by large congregations of ducks – predominantly mallards – loafing in open paddocks after the first week or two of the season when ducks become more wary. These birds are often difficult to hunt, however for those prepared to chance the odd unsuccessful outing success is more likely to improve later in the season, especially on rough days and at first and last light.

Late in the season birds are preparing for breeding and require extra protein in the form of aquatic invertebrates and terrestrial insects. At this time small creeks, farm drains and wet paddocks often provide favoured feeding habitat.

During this period it is often possible to call in ducks that earlier in the season were simply not interested. In intensively farmed areas the daily routine heavily influences hunting opportunity. Look for concentrations of birds near stock feed out pads, and, particularly in the case of shelducks, on saved pasture and green crop.
 

ORGANISED HUNTS

Complaints about concentrations of game birds such as pukeko and paradise shelduck and periodically prompts a need to direct hunters to where the problems are. For example pukeko and shelduck hunting success is often dependent upon a team of shooters working together.

Organised hunts have become increasingly popular on the West Coast as access to good hunting becomes more difficult in other regions. Currently such hunts are arranged independently by a number of different clubs and organisations and Fish & Game provides coordination and assistance where possible.

The West Coast Gameshooters club is very active and organises some very successful hunts. For further information on membership contact David Brooks on (03) 7625604.

Enjoy your hunting on the ‘Coast, comply with the few rules we have, and please show respect for landowners and your fellow hunters.