Permit requirements

A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.

This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online.

Hunting permits issued throughout the year will include special conditions that may change over time in response to adaptive management needs and emerging management priorities.

Special conditions

Regular monitoring and research help track the health of the Fiordland Wapiti herd and ensure the goals of the herd management plan are being met. This includes managing the herd and hunters to sustainably produce quality bulls during the bugle, and provide great hunting experiences throughout the year.

1. FWF Mobile App

While hunting within the Wapiti Area, permit holders must download and use the official Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF) mobile application (app), available for iPhone and Android devices:

• iPhone: ‎Fiordland Wapiti Foundation App - App Store
• Android: Fiordland Wapiti Foundation APK for Android Download

The app enables users to collect and report data that supports effective herd management and conservation decision-making, including records of bird sightings, animal sightings, and hunting trip costs.

2. Aging Wapiti Bulls

For the future of the herd and the best trophy potential, hunters should focus on harvesting mature wapiti bulls aged 8 years or older. At this age, bulls are approaching their prime and their antlers are close to their maximum development.

Details on how to age a wapiti bull can be found on the FWF mobile app or on the FWF website: How to Age a Fiordland Wapiti Bull

3. Monitoring harvest

A permit holder who takes a wapiti or wapiti-hybrid deer within the Wapiti Area must, within 30 days of the animal being taken, provide the FWF with photographs of the harvested animal. Photographs may be submitted through the official FWF mobile app or emailed to fwfsecretary@gmail.com. 

Photographs must clearly show the animal's body, head, and antlers (if applicable). The photographs need to be good quality to enable an assessment of the animal's condition, age, and characteristics for monitoring and management purposes. The photographs must be accompanied by the date of harvest and the name of the hunting block in which the animal was taken. 

4. Monitoring herd structure and health

The lower jaw of every wapiti or wapiti-hybrid deer harvested within the Wapiti Area must be removed and submitted to the FWF at the address below, within 30 days of harvest. The submission must be accompanied by the date of harvest and the name of the hunting block from which the animal was taken. Ensure jaws are clean. 

Preferred jaw drop-off method: Use the 24/7 jaw collection box outside the Te Anau Club on Pop Andrews Drive, Te Anau.

Address for sending jaws: 22 Paton Place, Te Anau, 9600

About this hunting block

The Fiordland Wapiti HOSI area is part of the DOC Lower South Island open hunting permit. 

The HOSI area covers the entirety of the Wapiti Area. Hunters should make themselves familiar with the HOSI area boundary (see map above).

On the ground management of the Fiordland Wapiti HOSI is delivered by the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation.