About this hunting block

Animals present are red deer and chamois, in low to moderate numbers.

General information

This block takes in the Tiel Creek catchment, the valley between the Young and the Wilkin Valleys. The vegetation is a mix of bracken, scrub, tussock, beech/tawhai forest and gravelly river flats.

This block is balloted for the roar period during the months of March and April.

See Wanaka roar block system.

Access

Access is from the road just south of White Creek, at the southern end of Makarora township. This road leads past the local tip to a ford, If the Makarora River is too high to cross safely, alternative options are a commercial jetboat (located nearby) or the Blue-Young Link Track, further north on the Haast Highway.

Once across the Makarora the land is pastoral lease and you need to contact the landholder for permission. About 300 m upstream from the Tiel/Makarora confluence an old sign indicates the start of an unmaintained, overgrown route up the true left of Tiel Creek.

Aircraft access: There is a designated landing site in the upper Tiel. Helicopter landings into this hunting block is by DOC approved aircraft concessionaires only. Contact local aircraft operators.

Landholders

Scott Patterson, Mt Albert Station. Email: mtalbertstation@gmail.com 

Maps

NZTopo50 series: BZ12

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed in this block as it is part of Mount Aspiring National Park.

Stay safe when crossing rivers and streams

If you plan to cross unbridged rivers or side streams, know how to cross safely and be prepared for if you cannot cross.

Do not cross if the river or stream is flooded, you cannot find safe entry and exit points or are unsure it’s safe. Turn back or wait for the river to drop. If in doubt, stay out.

How to cross rivers safely

NIWA river flow forecasts: View a video of national followed by regional river flows

Pesticides

Check for current pesticide operations that may be in progress where you intend to hunt using the Pesticide Summary map.

Prohibited firearms

The use of shotguns, shotgun-rifle combos, .22 calibre and rim-fire firearms are prohibited on public conservation land unless stated otherwise.