Upper Greenstone hunting

Located in Greenstone/Caples Recreational Hunting Area (RHA) in the Otago region

The Upper Greenstone hunting block offers opportunities to hunt fallow deer, red deer and chamois.

Permits are issued by 2 ballot draws

Permits for this restricted block are issued by 2 ballot draws - 1 for April/May (the roar) and the other for June to September.

About this hunting block

Animals present are fallow deer, red deer and chamois.

General information

This block consists mainly of bush on either side of the Greenstone, from Steele Creek up to Lake McKellar.

The Upper Greenstone block is restricted and is only available from 1 April to 30 September. You need to get a permit specifically for this block, issued from the local DOC office by way of 2 ballot draws.

Access

Follow the Greenstone Track up valley as far as Steele Creek. Initially the hunting block is all on the true left, and then about 5 km above the Steele Creek junction the bush on the true right is included as well.

Landholders

The Greenstone Valley floor is private land, owned by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. No hunting is permitted on or within 100 metres of the river flats. Access agreements allow for walking and carrying firearms up the valley.

Hunters who are allocated a block in the ballot draw must advise the farm manager before entering the valley. Contact Routeburn Station, Stuart Percy, ph +64 3 442 9901.

Maps

NZTopo50 series: CB09

Upper Greenstone hunting block map (PDF, 1,710K)

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted in this block, or in any part of the Greenstone/Caples Recreational Hunting Area (RHA).

Huts

There may be avalanche danger

Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.

If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:

  1. Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
  2. Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
  3. Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.

Additional information

  • From 1 October to 31 March the Greenstone/Caples RHA is closed to hunting.
  • Commercial or guided hunting is not permitted in this block.

Takahē conservation

18 takahē (9 breeding pairs) were returned to the Greenstone and Caples areas in August 2023.

While the releases were mainly on Greenstone Station, takahē are known to range widely. You may see takahē as you walk, on bush edges and over time, they may disperse into other areas such as hunting blocks.

At a glance, people may mistake the takahē for a pūkeko. Takahē are a large bird with deep blue and green colouring, sturdy red legs and beak. The chicks are black and small, as they grow, they will grey out. The juveniles will go from grey and muted blue and green, to the striking colours as they mature. For more information, visit Takahē Recovery

If you see a takahē 

To keep takahē safe in their new home:

  • keep a respectful distance to reduce stress on the birds
  • don't share any food with takahē as human food can make them sick
  • report any sightings (particularly outside the Greenstone Valley) at birdbanding.doc.govt.nz/sightings. Try to note details such as location, number of birds and leg band colours.