Lower Dart
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 Data retrieved 31 July 2026 and may now be out of date.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, Deer - White-tail, Goats
A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.
This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online.
Before lighting a fire on public conservation land, check it's alright to light. Extinguish all fires before leaving huts and campsites. How to minimise the risk of fire.
No dogs
About this hunting block
This block includes both sides of the Dart Valley between Daleys Flat and Sandy Bluff and offers opportunities to hunt goats, chamois, whitetail and red deer.
Animals present are goats, chamois, whitetail and red deer.
General information
This block includes both sides of the Dart Valley between Daleys Flat and Sandy Bluff. The terrain is large terraced flats, pleasant beech/tawhai forest and higher up, steeper slopes tussock, rock and snow.
Below Sandy Bluff on the true left, the block continues down as far as Chinamans Bluff. Hunting is not allowed further down as this is part of the Dart Moratorium Area, imposed over forests in the lower Dart Valley/Earnslaw Burn in 1983 for the management of whitetail deer.
On the true right, hunting is prohibited between McBride Burn and the Beans Burn catchment – this is Te Korokā (Dart/Slip Stream) Specially Protected Area, entry by special permit only.
Hunting is also prohibited within 500 m of the Dart Valley Track.
Access
Use the Dart Track which begins at Chinamans Bluff, 76 km from Queenstown via Glenorchy.
Maps
NZTopo50 series: CA10
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed in this block as it is part of Mount Aspiring National Park.
Huts
There may be avalanche danger
Avalanches usually occur from May to November in Wakatipu, Wānaka and Central Otago. There can also be avalanches outside this period, if there is still snow coverage.
If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:
- Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
- Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
- Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.
Weather
Forecast near the middle of the block