About this hunting block

General information

This area covers the 11,500 ha Hohonu Range that lies between the Taramakau River and Lake Brunner.

Vegetation is mostly podocarp/hardwood forest at lower altitude with extensive alpine scrub at higher altitudes and open tops to about 1,300 m altitude. The largest river in the range is the Eastern Hohonu. The open granite tops are quite rugged with steep sided cirques in the headwaters of most of the streams. 

Access

Access to the range is from the Kumara-Inchbonnie road that skirts the western, northern and eastern flanks of the range or up the Eastern Hohonu or Greenstone River. A marked track starts at the Eastern Hohonu bridge and provides access to the tops and Mt French. Access onto the other open top areas is difficult.

A short track near Mitchells leads to Carew Falls.

Landholders

There are numerous small holdings and private sections adjacent to the Kumara-Inchbonnie Road near Mitchells and Lake Brunner and private farmland in the Taramakau Settlement area. Permission should be obtained before crossing private land.

Maps

NZTopo50 BU 20, BU19.

Dogs

Dogs are prohibited except where authorisation has been granted by DOC. People wishing to take a dog into this area should seek authorisation from the DOC office. Keep dogs under control when crossing farmland.

Huts

There are no huts in this area.

Hunting

Red deer are uncommon except in lower forest zones while chamois dominate the alpine areas and are also found in the bush and creeks. Possums are regularly controlled by AHB throughout the area adjacent to farmland.