Hawkes Bay Hunting

The Hawke's Bay Fish & Game region is defined by river catchments, extending north to the Mohaka, west to the Ngaruroro, southwest to encompass the Tukituki systems, with the southern border reaching the Tautane Stream just south of Cape Turnagain.

The Mallard, Grey Duck and hybrids are the most popular game birds of the region. Both these species respond well to calling and decoying and can be found on most of the region's rivers, streams, dams and lakes. Shoveler are a transient population for most of the season and are renowned for their fast flying and elusiveness. Paradise Shelduck are wide spread and can be hunted successfully in most locations. Low-lying farmland with water nearby is ideal for hunting using silhouette decoys. If you want to target Parries the pasturelands and riverbeds are a good place to start.

Hawke's Bay hosts a good population of Ring Necked Pheasant and varying numbers of California Quail with the best hunting results occurring in scrubby river margins and forestry plantations with blocks of young trees. Pheasants are predominantly hunted in our major river systems with the Waipawa, Tukituki, Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri well worth a look. The best hunting is generally where good cover and watering opportunities are found (i.e. river basins), especially where these areas border orchards and/or assorted cropping areas. For most of these areas a dog is recommended as an easier way to cover ground effectively.