About this hunting block

Location

Located in the north eastern Kaweka Forest Park, Makino Hut is situated in a flat, sheltered site where the open manuka/kanuka meet the red beech forest.

Access

The small plateaus on the south eastern side of the track to the Ballard/Makino junction provide hunting opportunities. Deer may also be located on the steep manuka/beech forested slopes that drop away to the Makino/Mohaka Rivers to the north and east of the hut. Good hunting opportunities are available by taking the track southwest to the Makino River and travelling either up or downstream to access the Waimatai and Mangaturutu catchments.

Early morning hunts up to the sub-alpine tops below Whetu provide access to higher altitude open grassed creek heads and small clearings that ultimately run down to the Mangatutunui Stream. Deer may be seen on the sub-alpine tops during early morning and late evening periods, but day hunts are better focused on the gullies that run down to the creeks adjoining the open tops. Below the open tops, the surrounding terrain tends to be of moderate/steep mountain beech forest with occasional small water-fern clearings.

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.