Hunting Seasons in New Zealand 2026
| Species / Season | Open Season | Night Hunting | Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Deer Season NZ | 03/01 – 09/30 | no | rifle, bow | Introduced, rut March/April · DOC permit or private land |
| Tahr Season NZ | 04/01 – 08/31 | no | rifle | Southern Alps, trophy hunting · DOC permit, bull tahr season |
| Chamois Season NZ | 03/01 – 09/30 | no | rifle | Introduced Alpine chamois, South Island · DOC permit |
| Fallow Deer Season NZ | 03/01 – 09/30 | no | rifle, bow | Introduced population · Free hunting on public land |
| Wild Boar Season NZ | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Year-round, popular with dogs · No closed season |
| Possum Season NZ | year-round | yes | rifle | Invasive pest, year-round · No restrictions, encouraged |
| Sika Deer (Stag) | 03/01 – 09/30 | no | rifle, bow | Kaimanawa Ranges, central North Island |
| Rusa Deer | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Rotorua area, year-round on DOC land |
| Sambar Deer | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Bay of Plenty and Manawatu |
| Wapiti/Elk | 03/01 – 09/30 | no | rifle, bow | Fiordland, ballot system for Wapiti area · Ballot application by July of previous year |
| White-tailed Deer | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Stewart Island / Rakiura, limited population |
| Wild Goat | year-round | no | rifle, bow | Widespread on both islands, year-round |
| Wild Pig | year-round | yes | rifle, bow | Year-round, hunting with dogs very popular |
| Wallaby | year-round | yes | rifle | Pest, South Canterbury and Bay of Plenty |
| European Hare | year-round | no | rifle, shotgun | Introduced species, year-round |
| Wild Rabbit | year-round | yes | rifle, shotgun | Pest, especially South Island/Otago |
| Canada Goose | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | Gamebird season, Fish & Game |
| Paradise Shelduck | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | Endemic, NZ's most popular waterfowl game |
| Mallard | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | New Zealand's most common game duck |
| Grey Duck (Pārera) | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | Population decline, strict limits |
| Shoveler (Kuriri) | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | |
| Pukeko (Swamphen) | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | Endemic, Fish & Game gamebird |
| Wild Turkey | year-round | no | shotgun, rifle, bow | Introduced species, Wellington and Wairarapa |
| Pheasant | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | Fish & Game gamebird season |
| Quail (California Quail) | 05/01 – 08/31 | no | shotgun | California Quail, introduced |
Note: Summary from the HuntKit hunting seasons database (as of 2026-08-02). Seasons may vary regionally and change at short notice — the official regulations of the respective country/state prevail. Not legal advice.
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