13 Mile Bush hunting

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 Public access across private land may be withdrawn if this is not respected.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 Ben More Station (turn off SH 73 approx 10 km west of Springfield). This is 2WD for 2 km to a carpark where there is a locked gate. There is only foot access from here for a further 2.5 km to the bush edge and public conservation land. Dogs are not permitted on this easement.

Vehicle access to the Snowden 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.

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
• 50km/h limit when travelling through High Peak at all times

The High Peak Station access is closed for lambing between 15 September to 15 November. Exact dates subject to change. 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 Ben More 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.

Rivers

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.