Makahu Saddle Hut area hunting
Located in Hawke's Bay hunting in the Hawke’s Bay region
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Introduction
Makahu Saddle Hut is located in the eastern side of the Kaweka Forest Park. The hut is situated within a red and mountain beech mixed forest below steep eroded scree slopes of the main Kaweka Range.Species
- Deer - Red
- Deer - Sika
Permit requirements
This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online or from a DOC office.
Dog access
About this hunting block
Location
Makahu Saddle Hut is located in the eastern side of the Kaweka Range, 5 minutes walk from the end of Kaweka Road (Makahu Saddle carpark). The hut is sited at 980m altitude between the Makahu Stream catchment to the north and the Donald River/Tutaekuri River catchment to the south.
Access
The sub-alpine tops above Makahu Saddle also lead to the creek heads north and south of the saddle. Glassing with binoculars can provide a big advantage to the hunter working around the main tops. Deer may be seen on these sub-alpine tops during early morning and late evening, but day hunts are better focussed on the forested creek gullies that flow away from the adjoining open tops.
Below the open tops, the higher terrain tends towards open scree slopes with pockets of steep mountain beech forest surrounded by open rocky areas and clay pans. In the vicinity of the saddle, there are some flat to undulating stretches of beech forest/clay pans and open tussock areas that provide for easy hunting opportunities.
If heading north for bush hunting, a well marked track heads towards Kaweka Flats Bivouac (1 hour). Heading south hunters can choose to use an old vehicle track from the rear of the Makahu Saddle carpark or walk 10 minutes past the old DSIR Ngahere Hut and then onto Matauria Ridge.
Further east( back along the road access) is Little's Clearing – a track heads south from the rear of this clearing along the Black Birch Range to reach Black Birch Bivouac and ultimately meet up with the Lotkow Road. Hunters should be aware that this saddle area also attracts reasonable numbers of day visiting public and extreme care should be exercised when identifying your target.
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.
Contacts
Ahuriri / Napier Office | |
Phone: | 0800 275 362 |
Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
Email: | napier@doc.govt.nz |
Address: |
Level 2 Dunvegan House 215 Hastings Street Napier 4110 |
Postal Address: |
PO Box 644 Napier 4140 |
Full office details |