Te Puia Hut/Lodge area hunting

Location

Te Puia Lodge is located in the north eastern Kaweka Forest Park on the bank of the Mohaka River - the land across the river is privately owned. Sited in a flat, sheltered site, the lodge offers excellent access to the northern areas of the Kaweka Forest Park.

Access

The upriver track from the Makahu roadend (known as the “Gums”) to Te Puia Lodge offers a number of hunting opportunities uphill and away from the river. Hunters should be extremely cautious when discharging a firearm in this popular public area.

Good hunting opportunities are available by accessing the Makino River valley and its tributaries – the Waimatai and Mangaturutu. Deer may be also located on the steep manuka/beech forested slopes that climb away from the Makino/Mohaka Rivers to the rear (south east) of the lodge.

By taking the track up to Makino Hut, hunters can travel across a broad red beech forested plateau, then down to the Makino River valley and back downstream past the Waimatai catchment. Deer may be seen on the riverbeds, mainly during early morning and late evening, but day hunts are better focussed on the gullies that run down to the creeks and river systems.

Making the best use of main tracks when planning a hunting adventure will help ensure a safe and easy return.

Dogs

Only registered, avian aversion certified hunting dogs, guide dogs, companion dogs (certified by the Top Dog Companion Trust) and dogs used for special services (including conservation management activities) are permitted in the park. All other dogs are banned.