06/05/2026
2026 Gamebird Season Opens
Rangers spread throughout the coast over opening weekend encountered good numbers of hunters in high spirits. Patchy hunting on opening weekend is to be expected with hunters preferring to utilise traditional waterbodies and hunting areas rather than specifically targeting areas with high concentrations of birds. As such, some hunters had exceptional hunting and others were content with a few birds and the social occasion of opening weekend.
Rangers always find opening weekend interactions with hunters most enjoyable as they encounter some of the keenest and friendliest of hunting groups. Largely, the hunting groups encountered are aware of the demands placed on hunters to get it right ethically and safely to preserve hunting into the future and therefore don’t find the visits too burdensome.
The continuation of gamebird hunting and access to wetland areas in the face of opposition from many quarters requires us to be extremely aware of our ethical code and ensure our pastime is not dragged into disrepute by poorly behaving individuals. More hunter licence-holders equals a stronger voice and Fish and Game encourages all hunters to promote the good work hunters do to maintain and enhance wetland habitats, our ethical hunting with clean and quick kills, and the sustainable utilisation of a natural resource that if left unmanaged can cause problematic populations of birds for others.
As the keenest of hunters know, the season only gets better from here with birds increasingly congregating in undisturbed locations near to food sources. So - make the most of the 2026 season and get out there again amongst some of the most diverse gamebird hunting opportunities in the country. Landowners, other hunters and your mental wellbeing will thank you for it!
If you like to hunt socially, keep an eye out for Fish and Game West Coast organised hunts throughout the season. These hunts focus in areas with problematic populations of birds and utilise our keen hunters to reduce these populations.
Please also take the time to let your friendly caller from Fish and Game know of how the seasons progressing if you get surveyed. Every year Fish and Game, on behalf of gamebird hunters, has to make the case for being able to continue sustainably harvesting gamebirds. Yes, in a region where we all know there are plenty of ducks and not enough hunters, we still need accurate data to make our case every year.
