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Final Approach began from one hunter’s need to develop a blind that would provide the most comfortable and concealed experience possible. The goal was not to make money or start a business, but simply to be a better hunter. The Eliminator Layout Blind quickly gained popularity, inspiring every layout blind that has ever been built to copy or refine that concept. The first layout blind was introduced in 1993, and in 2019, the Knockout Layout Blind was launched, elevating the layout blind market once again from Final Approach.

When we purchased the company in 2018, our focus returned to the original mission: creating products that waterfowl hunters truly need. Without gimmicks or flashy marketing, we deliver durable blinds, ultra realistic decoys and tough as nails gear designed to enhance your success, comfort, and readiness in the field

To all passionate waterfowlers whether you are a duck hunter or duck shooter we invite you to give us a chance on your next purchase. If you’re like us, rising before dawn and eager to pursue the hunt, we make you this promise. If there are birds to chase, we will continue to work harder, stay longer, and design smarter products to make your hunt better.

SHOTGUNS

price shotgun our match guarantee

To celebrate 40 years of Hunting & Fishing New Zealand, we are proud to partner with Miroku Firearms Manufacturing Company

shotgun that reflects everything this milestone stands for:

Think the SBE 3 couldn’t get any better? Meet the ultimate waterfowling shotgun, the Super Black Eagle 3, now featuring both Benelli Advanced Impact and BE.S.T. technology. This hard-hitting firearm delivers unmatched comfort, performance, and reliability, all while boasting superior corrosion resistance designed to withstand the harshest hunting environments. Elevate your waterfowl game with the ultimate in durability and performance.

3 Advanced Impact

Advanced Impact

• Up To 50% More Penetration On Target + Improved Pellet Density

• More energy translates to more knock-down power and dusted clays

• A.I. barrels produce a more uniform and tighter shot string

The M2 Cerakote Tungsten Optifade Timber version is made with a durable ceramic coating, this makes it a semi-automatic suitable for even the toughest uses. Versatile, easy to shoulder and highly reliable in any situation, this semi-automatic offers comfortable use thanks to the Comfortech system and the special polyurethane comb. Cerakote ceramic coatings are durable, heat-resistant and with excellent long-lasting performance. The high definition camo finish has a camouflage effect suitable for the natural context.

Get one entry into the draw with each shotgun purchase made in-store entries close 3rd May 2026. ts & cs apply.

x1 duck hunt pack to win per store

duck hunt pack includes

DECOYS ABSOLUTE paradise

final approach's new paradise decoys

by gerald Macrae - invercargill store

" Thank goodness — at long last, a Parry that looks like a Parry should. "

I received notification from Customs that the long-awaited paradise duck decoys were on their way to the store. To be honest, despite all the research and development that had gone into them and the excellent communication from Final Approach (FA) I still wasn’t convinced they’d truly get them right. What I hadn’t fully considered was the work Mario Friendy had been doing behind the scenes. Mario previously worked with Avian-X decoys and is deeply in tune with the New Zealand hunting scene. He’s hunted across various parts of the country and delivered in-store presentations during his visits, so he understands the Kiwi waterfowler and what we expect from our gear.

So, I waited with bated breath.

Anyone who has hunted over historical paradise duck decoys will, at some point, have found themselves in the blind shaking their head at what was available. Paradise duck hunting gives us early-season opportunities (always check your regional regulations with Fish & Game, as they vary), and they can also add excitement when paddock hunting mallards. Yet realistic decoys have been lacking.

I decided to contact Corey Carston, well-known to many through his articles in NZ Hunter magazine and for his extensive waterfowling in the deep south. When the decoys arrived, Corey came in and we put them through their paces.

His first reaction? Straight to the point: “Thank goodness — at long last, a parry that looks like a parry should.”

The drake impressed him most. In the past, Paradise drakes have essentially been mallard decoys painted black, often looking well below average. These were different.

topple over just as birds were committing, forcing you out of a layout blind at the worst possible moment. This system offers a stable platform with realistic movement, is easy to set up, and performs well in cold conditions and hard ground - a real bonus.

Corey loaded them into the back of his ute for a real-world durability test alongside his faithful hounds (who were clearly wondering if the season had started). The dogs gave them a thorough inspection, and the paint held up exceptionally well. While we recommend using a decoy bag, this unplanned durability test showed just how solid the paint finish is.

Inside the box, we were pleasantly surprised to find a couple of floating decoys as well. The paint quality matched the field versions, and once placed in the water, they sat beautifully - much like Final Approach Gunner mallards. The sloped keel design should help in rough water, and importantly, the paint showed no unwanted shine in field conditions.

The conscientious waterfowler will note the beaks are slightly longer than those of a real Paradise duck. However, neither of us believes this will impact birds decoying. If they don’t commit, it won’t be because of beak size.

Overall, Corey and I are genuinely impressed. These are, without question, the best Paradise duck decoys we’ve seen in New Zealand. Corey even commented that he won’t need to flock or airbrush these — or any current mallard or Paradise decoys to achieve a realistic spread.

DUCK LICENCE

CALLS

THE CALLERS guide

your go to guide for calls

by simon mcmillan - christchurch store

Duck callers were a tool that I never really used in my early days of duck hunting. Shooting small ponds on family farms, we either didn’t use a caller, just relied on the ducks coming in on evening for a feed, or when we did have a caller, I couldn’t be trusted to make the right sounds with it! Once I got my driver's licence, and firearms licence, and started looking for my own ducks to hunt on public land, the water mass was increasing and I also had competition from other hunters. It was THEN that I learnt the lesson of a good decoy spread, but also having a caller and knowing how to use it was an essential part of successful duck hunting. I started with an Olt 66 that was a gift, and the first caller I purchased with my own money was a Hammond Arkansas, and I still have it, although it is retired now.

My pick for a great starting point on the Mallards is a Haydels Call, and my preference is the ‘Deceiver’. Not only is this call easy on the wallet, it is also easy to call, Haydels suggest it is the ‘easiest blowing duck call’. Not only is it easy to blow, making it easy to learn with, but it also sounds like a mallard! While we are on Haydels, they also do a mean, and not expensive Paradise Duck call which is extremely popular.

At Hunting & Fishing New Zealand we pride ourselves on having an awesome array of callers to suit all your waterfowling needs, but for now I’ll concentrate on Mallard calls.

Moving through the ranks we need to mention Duck Commander, and the one I like here is the ‘Triple Threat’. I wouldn’t consider this call any harder to blow than the Haydel but it does offer some subtle tone changes and I believe that to be because this call is based on a mallard hen. A versatile call that will work on smaller ponds and bigger water. Whilst talking about Duck Commander, I was sent a couple of Pro Series callers to look over and blow before writing this, a welcome addition to our selection and appear to have features of higher pitch for open water and a little softer rasp for close birds, one to give a try.

Cupped Wing would be my next step up the list, described as a ‘one man band duck call builder from New Zealand’. The standout mallard call for me is “The Mutt” and is quickly becoming a go-to in store for New Zealand. A nice raspy call that remains easy to blow, and whilst not important it is available in 9 different colours which does help identification if you are running several different calls on the one lanyard. It is also nice to have a New Zealand influence with these calls, and adding to the range sees two Paradise Duck calls.

To view these calls, and many more check out the range at your Local Hunting and Fishing store.

CARE

YOUR GUIDE to shotgun cleaning

by henry mccook - queenstown store

Nothing wrecks an opening morning more than your trusty shotgun failing to do what it’s meant to!

Every season, we hear stories of hunters pulling their shotguns apart in the dark, to diagnose issues that could have easily been prevented with a little preparation.

You don’t need much to maintain your shotgun. Start with a pull-through to clean your barrel and chamber throughout the season. Next, use a goodquality oil to clean your action and barrel, and to lubricate the moving parts. Finally, apply a small amount of grease where needed.

semi-automatics

When it comes to semi-automatics, the principles are the same regardless of brand. Keeping the inside of the action and the exterior of the bolt free from carbon build-up and debris will reduce friction and allow the gas or inertia system to do their job.

The bolt rides along the action raceway, which guides it through the cycling process. Applying a small amount of oil to this raceway will aid in smooth cycling and assist with the timing of the lifter and extraction.

For more modern shotguns, such as Benelli or Beretta models with a rotating bolt head, a small amount of oil behind the bolt head—between the bolt head and the main bolt —can help prevent the bolt from getting hung up in the closing process.

While you're there, applying a light coat of oil to the base of the shell lifter will also help with smooth feeding and loading.

gas-fed semi-autos

On gas-fed semi-autos, the gas piston system will be under your forearm. Removing the piston and ensuring it is free from carbon will allow gases

by opening and closing the gun half a dozen times to work that oil into the raceway behind the arms.

If you break the barrels off the action, you will see the hinge pins in which the barrels mount onto. A bit of grease on these will aid in quicker opening and closing and ensure the pins do not wear down.

Finally, something we annually see is chokes getting stuck in the barrels. At the beginning and end of the season, putting some grease on the choke thread will stop the choke from rusting into place, resulting in an expensive gunsmith visit.

If you are not confident doing any of this yourself, need advice on any of the items listed above, call into your local Hunting & Fishing and ask the experts. Most stores even sell this service to take the stress out of your pre-season planning.

Good luck, hot barrels!

DECK MY maimai

How to stay hidden THIS DUCK SEASON

by Matt Hamilton - westgate STORE

Every season in my maimai in the Waikato, I’m reminded that successful duck hunting isn’t just about decoys and early mornings. It’s about staying hidden. When I’m tucked into the maimai surrounded by the swamp and reedy shallow ponds, it’s important to remember good camouflage isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.

Waterfowl are smart and wary. As soon as animals sense uncertainty, they'll flare off. A lot of maimai in the Waikato rely on recycled materials and Mãnuka poles to create a frame. These work great and will last years if the materials are of good heart. It may look scruffy to some, but that’s the look you want in the swamp.

Camouflage layering is critical. Light, weather‑worn gear blends better than new, darker, heavy‑cotton materials that stand out. Equally important is covering the roof. Ducks, when hunting, often look down into the maimai. It’s just as important to break up the outline of your roof. I use a mixture of netting, flax, and driftwood to break up the harsh angles the maimai creates. The darker area underneath the roof creates great shadow to hide from circling ducks.

The movement of ducks is always unpredictable as the season changes. They will shift food sources and occupancies from paddocks to the swamp. This is where portable concealment comes in. Layout blinds have become a favourite for many hunters. It’s a portable, low‑profile and comfortable option for those hunting shallow ponds. They offer excellent ability to blend into the swamp environment. The layout blind is a great option when hunting farmland paddocks using decoys.

One of the first upgrades I made to my maimai was adding burlap scrim/ garnish. The Allen brand is excellent for its durability and colour variation. The natural look provided by the burlap has changed the effectiveness of my maimai. I mix burlap with a variety of fresh flax and long grasses from the area to best match our wetland.

matt's maimai top picks

Staying “hidden and out of mind” can drastically improve your odds. Staying concealed will maximise the number of ducks that commit to your decoys this season. Weather changes weekly in the Waikato and so does your maimai. Be sure to collect the fresh flax, long grasses, and the bloom being created each week of the hunting season.

I’ve found that ducks lock in on contrast more than colour. That’s why I avoid solid dark greens or blacks in my setup as they make the Maimai pop against the morning light. Instead, the burlap and netting combo gives me broken patterns and depth

GET IN FRONT OF THE HUNT

New lid design for easy on/off to stir, simmer and cook. Foldable handle is easy to use and locks lid into place.

Duck Camo Co y Exclusive To Hunting Fishing New Zealand.

1.2L cook pot with ceramic coating on the inside for nonstick cooking and easy cleanup.

New integrated self-centering pot support provides versatility to take pot on/off burner.

New igniter and precision flame control for faster ignition and dialing in the perfect flame.

Stay sharp

and focused on the game

With purpose-built clothing that will keep you warm, comfortable and ready for the shot this season.

SWING-THROUGH JACKET

From dawn in the maimai to a day on the peg, and right through to unwinding back at the lodge. This premium jacket blends sharp looks with serious performance to deliver complete functionality and full-performance comfort. It’s everything you need in the field, with a touch of class.

BAYLEAF | HRM-6350-JBA

Lightweight,

|LIW-1365-JBK

SHADOW JACKET

For those that prioritise stealth and who need to move as silently as a shadow throughout their chosen hunting terrain, this jacket is your ultimate concealment and stealth companion. Your comfort and experience will be maximised during your next big game stalking adventure.