Tahakopa Bay hunting

Located in Catlins restricted hunting in the Otago region

You can hunt red deer in the Tahakopa Bay hunting block located across the Tahakopa River from the Papatowai township.

The hunting permit status of this restricted block is under review

We are reviewing the status of this hunting block to decide if it should stay restricted or change to the open permit system. This review is part of our broader hunting permit upgrade.  

Where possible we want to maximise hunting opportunities by making getting a hunting permit fast and easy. We want to ensure any rules hunters need to follow are simple, clear and easy to understand.  

The review is guided by the access charter for recreational hunting and fishing on public conservation land and waters.  

For more information, see Review of restricted hunting permits (PDF, 299K)         

Send any feedback about this potential change to: invercargill@doc.govt.nz

About this hunting block

Animals present are red deer.

General information

This block is part of the Tahakopa Bay Scenic Reserve.

Tahakopa Bay is an historic moa hunter site, surrounded by middens in the dunes and estuary. The terrain is flat and covered in mature podocarp forest. There are large swampy sections through the middle of the reserve, and some large ponds providing habitat for water fowl.

The popular Old Coach Road Track runs along the Tahakopa river boundary, while the Old Possumers Track runs diagonally from the river to the beach, through the centre of the reserve. Hunting is not permitted within 100 m of these tracks.

Access

Tahakopa Bay Scenic Reserve lies across the Tahakopa River from the Papatowai township. Access is from the car park on the Papatowai Highway, or from Puaho Road or Tahakopa Beach Road at the north end of Tahakopa Bay.

Maps

NZTopo50 series: CG14

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in this block with a hunting permit. They must be kept on a lead at all times while near the public walking tracks. If accessing the block over private land, you must have landholder permission to take your dog.