Leithen Bush Scenic Reserve hunting

Located in the Southland region

You can hunt high numbers of red deer in the Leithen Bush Scenic Reserve.

Leithen Bush Scenic Reserve is now an open hunting permit area

Leithen Bush was previously covered by restricted hunting permits. On 11 June 2026 the hunting area was moved into the open area hunting permit. All permits issued from 11 June 2026 will include details for this hunting area.

Active open hunting permits issued before 11 June 2026 that include the Lower South Island region will not show details for this hunting area, but hunting is authorised for the hunting area under these permits. See the special conditions that apply to hunting in this hunting area.

About this hunting block

Leithen Bush Scenic Reserve has steep lower slopes and a series of ridges and spurs of moderate slope leading onto the broad open tops of the Umbrella Ranges. Mixed beech forest, dominate the lower to mid slopes with diverse broad leaved shrubs, ferns and tussock grasslands on the tops. Land area is approximately 2,333 ha.

The Leithen Bush Scenic Reserve is an open hunting area.

Open permits do not apply for the roar period when the area is balloted. The block is also closed to hunting 16 September to 19 January due to lambing.

Roar ballot

Applications for the 2027 roar ballot will be managed online through the DOC hunting permit system. Applications open 1 October 2026.

These hunting blocks make up part of the Murihiku ballot group.

Blocks are allocated through a ballot draw and are allocated for a two or three day period.

The balloted period is 15 March to 18 April 2027.

  • Applications will only be accepted through the online hunting permit system.
  • Applications will open on 1 October 2026.
  • Applications close on 31 October 2026.
  • Applications are limited to 5 choices.
  • You can submit only one application per party.
  • All party members must be listed on the application.
  • No individual may be part of more than one application.

Successful applicants will be notified automatically following the draw on 4 November 2026. This notification will include a link to confirm the allocated block.

Blocks must be confirmed by 18 November 2026. Permits will be sent automatically following confirmation.

Reallocation of blocks

Any remaining blocks after the initial draw will be automatically reallocated to unsuccessful applicants where possible.

After the reallocation process is completed, any remaining leftover blocks will be made available online on a first-come, first served basis.

Administration fee

At this stage, no administration fee will be charged for the roar ballot. But this fee may be introduced in future ballots to cover the costs associated with administering the roar block system.

Block Maps

Block 1 (PDF, 2096K)
Block 2 (PDF, 2097K)
Block 3 (PDF, 2097K)

Access

From Waikaia follow Winding Creek Road onto Switzers Road, or from Waikaka follow either Wendon Valley Road or Greenvale Road onto Leithen Road to Switzers Road. There is a short walk across private land and hunters are required to contact the landowners.

Landholders

Southern Forest NZ Ltd
Josh Cairns +64 27 559 9033

Greenvale Station
Dennis O’Connell +64 27 208 3044

Maps

NZTopo50 map - CE12

Animals present

Red deer - high numbers

Huts

There are no DOC huts available.

Additional information

If possuming, a permit must be obtained by contacting the DOC Murihiku Office in Invercargill.