The Blue Mountains Forest Conservation Area is a Recreational Hunting Area (RHA). The area has been divided into 23 hunting blocks which are balloted monthly.
Applications for the ballot close on the first of the month prior to the month applied for. Permits are issued for a maximum of 3 days during the week, or weekends only.
How to apply
Create an account
To apply for a ballot on the online system you will need to create an account or log in if you already have one.
You will need to set up an account in the system and be logged in before you can complete your ballot application.
When setting up an account there are a few things you need to know:
- When you first try to apply for a ballot, you will be directed to a log in page. If you haven’t set up an account, you need to click on the ‘Sign up now’ link at the bottom of the screen.
- You will be asked for your email address. The email address you provide must be unique to you. You cannot set up different accounts with the same email address.
- You will need to verify your email account with a six-digit code sent to your email address. It may take a few minutes for the code to come through. The code is valid for 5 minutes and you can ask for a new code to be sent to you.
- Once your email account is verified, you will need to create a password and enter your first and last name. The password must be at least 14 characters long and have at least 1 uppercase letter, 1 lowercase letter, a number, and a special character (e.g. #@$).
- Verify your email for a second time.
- You will then be taken to a screen where you must enter your home address, phone number and date of birth before completing your ballot application.
The account set-up process only takes a few minutes and protects against bots and puts a strong layer of protection across your personal information. You will only need to do this once and if you forget your password there is a ‘Forgot your password?’ function.
Step 1: Find an open ballot and pick your preferences
In the ballot system the green status bar tells you what ballots are open for applications.
Start your application by clicking on the ‘Apply for this ballot’ button. Follow the steps to submit your application.
You can choose up to 5 preferences for your application. Choice 1 should be your top preference.
If you want to change your blocks or preferred hunting period, you’ll need to cancel your application and submit a new application. This will incur another application fee.
Step 2: Organise your hunting party
You can only be part of one ballot application
If you apply yourself, you cannot be included as a hunting party member on another application.
If other hunters want to be part of your application, add their names and contact details to your application. They’ll be sent an invitation to join your application and will need to accept it if they want to be included.
Your hunting party must accept or decline their applications
If anyone in your hunting party doesn’t accept their invitation, they will be removed from the application when the draw is made.
You can add members to your hunting party after the draw is made if your application is successful.
Everyone in your hunting party who intends to hunt needs a permit. Permits will only be issued to hunting party members after they log into the hunting permit system and accept the permit conditions. Anyone without a permit will not be allowed to hunt.
Step 3: Pay to confirm your application
You need to pay the application fee of $11.50 to confirm your application. This fee is for a party application and is non-refundable. If you win, there are no further fees for permits or bookings.
Step 4: Accept your ballot spot if successful
If your application is successful, you’ll be offered a ballot spot. You must accept the offered spot by a set date. If you don’t, the offer will be rescinded, and the ballot spot may be available to book as a left-over block.
Step-by-step guidance for applying a hunting ballot (PDF, 737K)
Managing your application
Once your application is confirmed, you can view it in the 'My permits and licences area' of the permit system. You can add or remove hunting party members, amend hunting party member details, resend invitations or cancel the application.
After the ballot draws have been completed, you can be invited to join any hunting parties who have secured ballot spots. The only constraint is that you cannot be a member of different parties on the same date.
Cancel your booking if your plans change
If you are unable to hunt on your booking, log into the system and cancel it. There may be other hunters who would like to hunt at that time on that block.
Contact
DOC Customer Service Centre
| Phone: | 0800 275 362 |
| Email: | info@doc.govt.nz |