Jacobs (Makawhio) to Mahitahi hunting

Located in South Westland hunting in the West Coast region

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.

About this hunting block

Description

These two valleys are both typical steep sided flat bottomed glacier formed valleys with boulder stream beds. Forests are mainly hardwoods with some podocarp lower down, with alpine scrub and tussock at higher altitudes.

There are grassed flats in the Mahitahi but these are part of a grazing licence.

Access

Access into these valleys is difficult. There is freehold and leased land in the lower parts of each valley. You need landowner permission to cross these areas.

The upper catchments are within the Hooker–Landsborough Wilderness Area and aircraft landings are restricted. Helicopters can land in the valleys below the wilderness area, in the Jumbo Stream head and on the lower Bannock Brae and Rocky Ranges.

Landholders

Contact the Haast Visitor Centre to get landholder contact details.

Maps

NZTopo50 BX14, BY14

Huts

There are no public huts in these valleys.

Hunting

Red deer can be found in the lower and mid valleys at any time of the year.

In the lower true left Jacobs goats are widespread to upstream of Greer Creek and deer numbers here are lower.

Chamois are found throughout in low numbers mainly above the bushline and on slips.

Thar are common in both upper valleys

Know before you go

Check for current pesticide operations that may be in progress where you intend to hunt. Use the West Coast pesticide summary map.

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