Within the park, recreational hunting for tahr and chamois is permitted throughout the year in three blocks – Upper Godley, Murchison and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Hunters should sign in their intentions at the visitor centre when entering the park. For up-to-date information on access, conditions and animal numbers, contact the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Visitor Centre.
Aoraki/Mount Cook Village is located at the end of SH80, which turns off SH8 just past Lake Pukaki and before the township of Twizel.
Recreational hunting for thar and chamois is open all year around in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. See the first page below for general access information.
Groups of recreational ground hunters can also access the Murchison and lower Tasman valleys by aircraft from 1 November to 24 December, to support the tahr control programme.
Tahr inhabit bluff areas and adjacent sub-alpine shrublands and alpine grasslands. To reduce the negative impacts tahr can have on the park's outstanding natural values, aerial control is carried out annually by the department covering all known tahr habitat. This aerial control is generally done during winter, from July to October.
Tahr were introduced into the area in 1904 and chamois in 1907. These animals spread rapidly and now provide ample hunting opportunities for hunters with alpine experience.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre
| Phone: | +64 3 435 1186 |
| Email: | mtcookvc@doc.govt.nz |
| Address: | 1 Larch Grove Aoraki/Mount Cook 7999 |
| Hours: | Visitor centre hours and services |