Minaret Burn hunting

Located in Lake Wānaka hunting in the Otago region

You have opportunity to hunt red deer and chamois in the Minaret Burn hunting block, which is is part of Mt Alta Conservation Area.

About this hunting block

Animals present are red deer and chamois in low to moderate numbers.

General information

This block is part of Mt Alta Conservation Area, taking in the true right side of the Minaret Burn Valley, upstream of Slip Creek. The country is mostly open steep tussocklands, with a few areas of scrub.

This block is balloted for the roar period during the months of March and April.

See Wānaka roar block system.

Access

Take the Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road from Wānaka and turn right onto West Wānaka Road, about 5 km beyond Glendhu Bay. From the Homestead Bay car park at the end of this road, access is on foot and takes a full day.

As this access crosses a private deer farm, firearms must be carried with their bolt removed until in the hunting block.

Follow the track to Station Creek and Colquhouns Beach. At a junction about 2 km from Station Creek, continue on the main (right hand) track. After climbing out of the Rumbling Burn, take the left fork at another junction and follow the track up the true right of the Minaret Burn, before eventually reaching the hunting block boundary at a private hut by Slip Creek.

Landholders

James Cochrane, West Wānaka Station, ph +64 27 329 3315.

Maps

NZTopo50 series: CA12

Minaret Burn hunting block map (PDF, 2188K)

Dogs

Dogs are allowed in this block with a hunting permit, and with access landholder permission.

Huts

The hut at Slip Creek is private and you must have landholder permission to use it.

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.