Arthur's Pass West
Alerts
Boundaries are approximate and not suitable for accurate boundary definition. Check current DOC permit conditions before hunting. Data retrieved 31 July 2026 and may now be out of date.
Chamois, Deer - Red, Pigs
A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.
This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online.
No dogs
About this hunting block
Arthur's Pass National Park straddles the main divide—the 'back bone' of the South Island—between Canterbury and the West Coast. Red deer, chamois and pigs are present.
This information covers both Arthur's Pass East, and Arthur's Pass West and is repeated there.
General information
Arthur's Pass National Park straddles the main divide – the 'back bone' of the South Island – between Canterbury and the West Coast.
Containing high mountains with large scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers, the park (114,400 ha) has been divided into two hunting areas – east and west.
Pigs, red deer and chamois are present in low to moderate numbers and populations can be quite localised.
The terrain varies from moderate to very steep. The vegetation is beech forest, riparian shrublands with alpine shrublands, tussock, rock and scree tops.
Areas excluded from hunting are: all road corridors (e.g. SH73); Arthur's Pass and Ōtira villages; Mt White Station land on the eastern borders, Taramakau riverbed and the Waimakariri riverbed downstream of the Bealey Bridge.
Note: this is an alpine area near the main divide and rivers can rise very quickly so take care with river crossings. Other hunters and trampers may be encountered. Take precautions and identify your target.
Access
There are many access points along SH73, via tramping tracks that start at roadside or road end car parks or via major rivers. On the west of the main divide these include Kellys and Goat creeks, Ōtira, Taramakau and Rolleston rivers.
Access into the Deception and Taramakau is from Aickens corner or the Morrison footbridge.
In the east, access to the Mingha and Edwards valleys is from Greyneys Shelter. The upper Waimakariri valley can be accessed via Waimakariri River from Klondyke Corner, or Bealey Spur.
The Hawdon, Andrews and Poulter valleys, and the Binser Saddle tracks are all accessed from the Mt White Road.
Vehicles are not permitted off-road in the national park.
Landholders
The above public access routes do not require any landholder permission.
Map information
NZTopo50 maps BU20, BU21, BV21.
NewTopo Arthur's Pass map.
Dogs
Dogs are not permitted in any national park.
Huts
West hunting area
Serviced huts:
Standard huts:
Basic huts and bivs
East hunting area
Serviced huts:
Standard huts:
Basic huts and bivvies:
West Coast hunting blocks
There are many routes from Arthur's Pass East and Arthur's Pass West to these hunting blocks west of the main divide:
Additional information
Hunters are advised to check for current pesticide operations that may be in progress where they intend to hunt.
Weather
Forecast near the middle of the block