About this hunting block

General information

This covers the area between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier from the mountains to the sea.

Mostly podocarp dominated lowland forest with southern rata and other hardwoods in the higher altitude areas east of SH6.

Wet and swampy in low lying areas. 

Bush is generally dense with kei kei and supplejack common along the coastal strip.

Areas east of SH6 are generally very steep.

Access

Access is possible from SH6 anywhere through the Franz-Fox (Weheka) hills. This road provides access to a number of streams and rivers which have hunting potential.  The western end of the block has good access via Gillespies Beach Road. The lower Omoeroa is possible to access from the end of Waiho Flat Road – but permission is required from the landowner.

Access to the tops is possible via Alex Knob Track which begins in the Glacier Valley.

NB: The Glacier Valley is closed to hunting during the following periods December 20 – January 31 and Good Friday to Easter Monday.

Landholders

There is no need to cross any pastoral lease or privately owned land to access this area. But some access points will require landowner permission. For further information contact the DOC office. 

Maps

NZTopo50 BW15, BX14, BX15, BX16.

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted in national parks.

Huts

There are two alpine huts in this area - Chancellor Hut and Castle Rocks Hut. Neither of these have track access.

Hunting

• Red deer numbers are generally relatively low east of SH6 but are more common on the western side of the road near the coast.
• Chamois can be found in most of the stream systems. Stream beds and slips are good places to encounter them, though they can also be found in the bush.
• Goats are common west of SH6.
• Thar are present in low numbers in the upper stream catchments.

Additional information

Hunters are advised to check for current pesticide operations that may be in progress where they intend to hunt. Summaries are published on this site every four months.

The use of shotguns, shotgun-rifle combos, .22 calibre and rim-fire firearms is prohibited on public conservation land unless stated otherwise.