About this hunting block

The 13 Mile Bush hunting area is part of Korowai Torlesse Tussocklands Park. It is located 70 km west of Christchurch between Springfield, Lake Lyndon and the Rakaia River.

The terrain is moderate to steep. The vegetation is mostly beech forest with some scrub and tussock. Pigs, red deer, goats and chamois are present in low to moderate numbers. Other hunters and trampers may be encountered. Take precautions and identify your target.

Do not hunt outside the block boundary. It's the hunter's responsibility to know the block boundaries and stay within them. Public access across private land may be withdrawn if this is not respected.

Access

There is access from SH 73, Porters Pass and the Lyndon Road.

The access easement is marked through Benmore Station (turn off SH 73 onto Benmore Road approx. 10 km west of Springfield).

There is vehicle access to the first carpark. There is foot access only from here to the forest edge and public conservation land. Dogs are not permitted on this easement.

Vehicle access to the Snowdon side of 13 Mile Bush is through High Peak Station to Bush Stream. Walk or 4WD another 3 km up Bush Stream to the edge of the hunting area. This is not a public road and permission is required. There is no public access from the North Branch of the Selwyn River and any trespassers will be prosecuted.

Landholders

Permission is required for the High Peak Station access route. This must be requested in writing by email to info@highpeak.co.nz at least two days before you plan to hunt. 

Hunters must provide the following information:

• full name of each hunter in the party
• DOC hunting permit number of each hunter in the party
• registration of each vehicle in the party
• full names of any non-hunters in the party

If you’re granted permission to access 13 Mile Bush through High Peak Station, you must observe the following conditions or access will be revoked:

• fill out the Intentions Book provided at the High Peak cattle yards gate
• no shooting outside the DOC hunting area
• the Bush Stream Route is for access only - no shooting, fires or stock disturbance
• no dogs under any circumstances
• leave all gates as found
• 30 km/h limit at all times when travelling through High Peak
• no access through High Peak before 7 am or after 7 pm except by special request
• report any illegal activity to station staff - photos, details, number plates - it's your safety at risk
• anyone caught on private land without permission will be prosecuted.

The High Peak Station access is closed for lambing between 15 September to 15 November. Exact dates subject to change - please enquire. Permission is required for any other access routes across private or leasehold land from the appropriate landowners.

Because of unacceptable hunter behaviour, surveillance cameras are now in operation on High Peak Station.

Huts

• Benmore Hut
• Inches Hut by Bush Stream is a private hut and not available for public use.

Map

NZTopo50 map BW21.

Know before you go

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in the 13 Mile Bush hunting area.

But there is no dog access:

• through the High Peak Station access route or Benmore Station easement
• up the Coach Stream Route track from the bottom of Porters Pass due to it crossing private land
• up the Dry Acheron Track from Coleridge Rd as this crosses private farm land.

Dogs must be kept under control and not used for hunting until well within the DOC hunting area.

No hunting zones

No hunting/shooting zones around the Lake Lydon Flats are shown in red on the map.

This is to discourage target shooting which is an illegal activity on public conservation land and has been a safety issue here. You are allowed to sight in your rifle, to check its accuracy for hunting, on land that is covered by your DOC open area hunting permit but not closed areas.

Stay safe when crossing rivers

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

Do not cross if the river 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

Wasps

Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March – wear light-coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.