About this hunting block

Location

Ballard Hut is located in the central-eastern Kaweka Forest Park towards the northern end of the main Kaweka Range.

The hut is 500 metres downhill from the open sub-alpine tops. The hut was located here for New Zealand Forest Service deer culler convenience. It is close to a small creek.

Access

Much of the terrain in this area is steep and travel can be difficult. Deer may be seen on the sub-alpine tops during early morning and late evening.

Day hunts are better focussed on the gullies that run down to the creeks adjoining the open tops. Below the open tops, the surrounding terrain tends to be moderate to steep mountain beech forest with occasional small water-fern clearings.

Travelling west from the hut, the Ballard-Venison Tops Saddle Track offers hunters good access to the upper Makino and Rocks Ahead stream catchments. Travelling to the east, hunting opportunities exist in the Koaro and upper Mangatutunui catchments north east of the main range below Whetu.

Making the best use of main tracks when planning a hunting adventure will help ensure a safe and easy return.

Dogs

Only registered, avian aversion certified hunting dogs, guide dogs, companion dogs (certified by the Top Dog Companion Trust) and dogs used for special services (including conservation management activities) are permitted in the park. All other dogs are banned.