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Parks & recreation
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Hunting
West Coast

West Coast

Introduction

Find DOC places to go hunting in the West Coast region.

Find DOC places to go hunting in the West Coast.

Aciphylla/Eblis Tops tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Adams Flat tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Willberg River tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Teichelmann Creek tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Perverse Creek tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Adams Range tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Speculation Creek tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Poker Gully tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Opposite Percy Creek tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Hinds Tarn tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Edison River tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Upper Otoko tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Dechen Creek tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Bubble Creek tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Arbor Rift tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Baker Creek tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Barlow tahr hunting area

This site is in the Adams Wilderness Area and is open year round for foot access.

Butler tahr hunting area

Access is difficult and terrain steep in this area.

Cassel tahr block

This block is open year round with no helicopter access. 4-6 hr walk from SH6, reasonable access to tussock from behind Cassal Flat Hut.

Horace tahr hunting area

This area is open year round with helicopter access to Horace Walker Hut all year.

Jacobs tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Karangarua tahr hunting area

This area is open year round with helicopter access to Christmas Flat all year. Tahr can be encountered anywhere but greater numbers on the true right above and around bush line.

Lambert tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Lord Range/Lord River tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Mahitahi tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Poerua tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Prices tahr hunting area

This site in the Whitcombe is open year round.

Regina tahr hunting area

This area is open year round. Access to Regina Valley is via Cassel Flat Hut. The terrain is difficult and only isolated areas can be gained above the valley floor.

Scone tahr hunting area

This area is open year round with helicopter access available all year. Popular spot due to helicopter access though steep terrain.

Shelter Hollow tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

The Clue tahr hunting area

This site is open year round.

Abel Lake tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Whitcombe tahr hunting area

This area is open year round. Part of this site is in a wilderness area which prevents helicopter access. Hunters should consider camping on moraine wall near Agfa Knob.

Whymper tahr hunting area

This area is open year round with helicopter access available all year. Tahr common in nearby Barrowmans Creek (steep access) and below King Peak (difficult steep access).

Upper Zora Creek tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Heaphy (Kōhaihai to Iwituaroa Range) hunting

Red deer can be found throughout the Heaphy at any time of the year however spring hunting on river flats and the Roar is most popular.

Ōparara-Kohaihai-Ugly hunting

The Ōparara Basin and upper Kohaihai lie north east and inland of Karamea. Hunt red deer, feral pigs and low numbers of chamois.

Karamea River to Radiant Range hunting

Red deer can be found throughout the area at any time of the year. Chamois are found mainly in the alpine areas in low numbers.

Mōkihinui north and south hunting

The Mōkihinui is a large river system inland from Seddonville with a distinct north and south split at Mōkihinui Forks. Hunt red deer, goats, hares and low numbers of chamois.

Mackley-Orikaka-Ngakawau hunting

Hunt red deer, feral pigs and goats in this large area of hill country and elevated terraces. Chamois are uncommon.

Lyell to Newton River hunting

Red deer, goats and pigs can be found throughout the area at any time of the year. The elevated terraces provide good spring hunting once new grass growth commences.

Buller Gorge to Charleston hunting

In this area red deer, goats and pigs can be found year round. Chamois are present but uncommon on the Paparoa Range.

Paparoa Range West hunting

This area covers the western side of the Paparoa Ranges from Fox River south to Canoe Creek. Red deer, goats and occasionally pigs and chamois are present.

Eastern Paparoas hunting

Red deer, goats, a small herd of fallow deer, and low numbers of chamois can be found in the eastern Paparoas. Feral pigs are rare.

Maruia Valley hunting

The Maruia is a large area that extends from the Lewis Pass down to the Buller River. You can find red deer, chamois and goats here.

Upper Grey hunting

Hunt red deer and chamois, along with low numbers of goats and feral pigs in the Upper Grey.

Robinson hunting

Hunt red deer and chamois (in alpine areas) in the Robinson area. Goats and feral pigs are uncommon.

Brunner Range hunting

Red deer, feral pigs and small numbers of chamois can be found in the Brunner Range. Goats are uncommon.

Victoria Range hunting

Hunt red deer, chamois and goats in the Victoria Range. Feral pigs are present but uncommon. Possums are regularly controlled in the lower parts of the area.

Reefton hunting

Find red deer, feral pigs and small numbers of fallow deer in the Reefton area.

Waiheke-Tūtaekurī-Trent hunting

Hunt red deer and chamois in the Waiheke-Tūtaekurī-Trent area. This area covers the catchments of the upper Ahaura River.

Haupiri-Waikiti hunting

Red deer and chamois can be found in the catchments of the Haupiri and Waikiti Rivers and the smaller Crane Creek.

Crooked-Morgan hunting

Red deer, chamois and feral pigs are found throughout the the Crooked and Morgan valleys.

Hohonu Range hunting

Red deer are uncommon in the Hohonu Range, except in lower forest zones, while chamois dominate the alpine areas and are also found in the bush and creeks.

Fox Glacier to Karangarua hunting

Chamois are relatively easy to find in the Fox Glacier to Karangarua hunting block. You can also hunt red deer, thar, and goats.

Waikūkūpa to Gillespies hunting

Hunt red deer and low numbers of chamois in this hunting block, west of SH6.

Taramakau hunting

Find out about hunting deer and chamois in the Taramakau area.

Ōtira-Deception hunting

Learn about hunting deer and chamois in the Ōtira-Deception.

Taipo hunting

Learn about hunting deer and chamois in the Taipo.

Styx-Arahura hunting

Hunt red deer, low numbers of chamois (in alpine areas) and hares in the Styx-Arahura.

Kokatahi-Toaroha hunting

Find out about hunting deer and chamois in the Kokatahi-Toaroha.

Hokitika-Whitcombe hunting

Find out about hunting deer, chamois and thar in the Hokitika-Whitcombe.

Copland tahr hunting area

The Copland tahr hunting area is easily accessed by foot via the Copland Track. Tahr are found throughout on steep faces.

Wanganui hunting

Red deer, chamois, goats and thar can all be found in Franz Josef's Wanganui hunting area.

Whataroa hunting

Whataroa is a popular destination for hunting. Red deer, chamois and tahr are common throughout the valleys of the area.

Ōkārito hunting

South and North Ōkārito forests are large lowland forests approx. 20 mins north of Franz Josef. Red deer, chamois and rabbits (on the coastal dunes) are present.

Saltwater Forest hunting

Saltwater Forest is approximately 7 km south of Hari Hari. Red deer and low numbers of chamois present.

Waitangitāhuna to Franz Josef hunting

Reasonable numbers of chamois, low numbers of red deer, and the occasional thar are present in this hunting block.

Omoeroa hunting

This covers the area between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier from the mountains to the sea. Hunt red deer, chamois, goats and thar (in low numbers) in Omoeroa.

Southern Paparoas hunting

Red deer and goats can be found throughout the Southern Paparoas. Pigs are uncommon.

Karangarua to Copland hunting

The Karangarua and Copland are the two main branches of the Karangarua, a major river about 20 km south of Fox Glacier. It is a popular destination for red deer and chamois hunting.

Jacobs (Makawhio) to Mahitahi hunting

The Jacobs (Makawhio) and Mahitahi are two moderate sized valleys about 40 km south of Fox Glacier. They contain red deer, thar, widespread Jacobs goats, and chamois in low numbers.

Paringa - Otoko hunting

Paringa River is 50 km south of Fox Glacier. 6 km upstream from SH6 the Ōtoko River confluence is reached. Hunt red deer and low numbers of chamois and thar.

Bruce Bay to Moeraki hunting

Hunt moderate numbers of red deer and chamois throughout this large area of hill country and wetland.

Moeraki to Windbag hunting

Hunt red deer and chamois in this area, which includes the Windbag Valley and Moeraki Valley. These are 40 minutes north of Haast or 40 minutes south from Fox Glacier.

Whakapohai - Haast hunting

Hunt red deer in the Whakapohai - Haast area. This site includes the west side of the Mataketake Range from the Whakapohai River south to the Haast River.

Haast Valley hunting

Low numbers of red deer can be found throughout Haast Valley. Chamois are present but uncommon.

Thomas - Roaring Billy - Macfarlane hunting

Moderate numbers of red deer can be found throughout these main catchments of the lower true right of the Haast valley.

Burke - Wills hunting

Find out about hunting in the Burke and Wills valleys, the main catchments of the upper Haast Valley in the Mt Aspiring National Park.

Okuru - Turnbull hunting

The Okuru and Turnbull valleys are both alpine valleys with large grassed river flats and steep glacial formed faces. Hunt hares, moderate numbers of red deer and low numbers of chamois.

Waiatoto Valley hunting

Hunt red deer, possums, hares, and low numbers of chamois in the Waiatoto Valley, a 50 km long valley about 2 km south of Haast.

Arawhata - Waipara hunting

Hunt red deer, chamois, hares and rabbits in the Arawhata and the Waipara.

Jackson - Smoothwater - Stafford hunting

The Jackson, Smoothwater and Stafford catchments are moderate sized rivers just south of the Arawhata River. This large area is easy to access and provides for good deer hunting.

Cascade - Hope - Gorge hunting

Red deer, and low numbers of chamois can be found throughout the Cascade-Hope-Gorge area.

Cascade to Hackett hunting

Hunt moderate numbers of red deer and low numbers of chamois in the Cascade to Hackett area.

North Barlow tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Elizabeth Stream tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Rubicon Rock Biv tahr hunting area

This hunting area is open year round and is under the ballot system for helicopter access (late April-June).

Murchison & Aoraki/Mount Cook

A 15,300 hectare hunting area in the Liebig range in the Southern Alps.

Hokitika hunting

A 218,995 hectare hunting are near Hokitika.

Landsborough - Clarke Valley hunting

Red deer, chamois, thar and hares can all be hunted in the Landsborough and Clarke valleys—the true right headwaters of the Haast Valley.

Waitangiroto Nature Reserve

A 1524 hectare restricted hunting area in the Franz Josef rohe.

Related links

List of West Coast landowners to contact for land access permission (PDF, 20K)
Tahr ballot information
Roar ballot information

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