|

Introduction

You can hunt red deer in the Waikaia Forest.

Species

  • Deer - Red

Permit requirements

A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.

This hunting area is covered by a 'restricted area permit'. Contact the DOC office managing the hunting area.

Dog access

Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times.

About this hunting block

Waikaia Forest Conservation Area covers some 7,000 ha of beech forest. The terrain ranges from river flats to open tops with some steep areas in places. This is a popular recreational area, particularly over the summer months. There are several walking tracks, a basic DOC camping area and a picnic area at Piano Flat.

The Waikaia Forest Conservation Area is a restricted hunting area. Outside the 'roar' period a permit must be obtained by contacting the DOC Murihiku Office in Invercargill. These permits close on 9 March for the 'roar' balloted permits.

Roar ballot

The balloted ‘roar’ period runs from the third Monday in March to the third Sunday in April every year. 

During this 'roar' period the area is divided into five blocks and balloted for periods of up to three days during the week, or weekends only. An advertisement for ballot applications appears in the Southland Times and the Otago Daily Times on the last Saturday of September each year. Applications close on 31 October. 

DOC charges an application fee for the balloted periods to recover costs.

Application form

Download the ballot map and application form (PDF, 119K) or (Word, 45K)

To apply for the ballot, you will need to complete an application form and either post, email or drop it off to the Invercargill office. If you post your application you will need to include credit card or debit card details for payment. If you would like to email your application you will need to phone the Invercargill Office to pay, we can not accept credit card or debit card details via email. Alternatively, you can pop into the Invercargill Office and pay by credit card, debit card, EFTPOS, or cash over the counter. 

Access

Follow Piano Flat road from Waikaia. Access to some of the blocks cross private land and hunters are required to contact the landowners.

Landholders

Glenaray Station
Mike O’Donoghue +64 3 202 7720

Argyle Station
M Gunton - +64 3 202 7735 A/H

Maps

NZTopo50 map - CD12

A selection of Topo50 maps which cover the Southland region are available to purchase from the DOC Murihiku Office. 

If you require a map that is not supplied at the Murihiku Office, you can download maps or check out a list of other retailers on the Land Information New Zealand website

Block Maps

Block 1 (PDF, 1403K)
Block 2 (PDF, 1420K)
Block 3 (PDF, 1570K)
Block 4 (PDF, 1496K)
Block 5 (PDF, 1520K)

Animals present

Red deer - moderate numbers

Dogs

  • Dogs must be registered.
  • When crossing private land, dogs are to be on a leash until well into forest and kept under control.
  • DOC must be notified regarding missing or lost dogs on conservation land.

Huts

There are no DOC huts available. A number of huts exist on the edge of the forest. These are all on private land and are privately owned.

Additional information

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

Contacts

Murihiku / Invercargill Office
Phone:   0800 275 362
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   invercargill@doc.govt.nz
Address:   7th Floor
CUE on Don
33 Don Street
Invercargill 9810
Postal Address:   PO Box 743
Invercargill 9840
Back to top