Sharks Tooth

You can hunt red deer, chamois and goats in the remote Sharks Tooth hunting block that spans the rugged headwaters of the Shotover River, Shiel Burn and Polnoon Burn.

Animals present are red deer, chamois and goats.

This remote block spans the rugged headwaters of the Shotover River, Shiel Burn and Polnoon Burn. The terrain is steep tussock, scree and rock, cut by deep gorges and snow covered in winter.

There are three access points:

• From the Shotover through Branches Station and up the Polnoon Burn
• By climbing Shotover Saddle from the West Matukituki Valley.
• From the Leaping Burn

You need landholder permission for all three of these routes, and they all require a high level of back country skills and experience.

James Murray, Branches Station
Phone: +64 3 441 8421
Randall Aspinall, Mt Aspiring Station (Shotover Saddle)
Phone: +64 21 647 155

Matukituki Station (Leaping Burn)
Phone: +64 3 443 4342

NZTopo50 series: CA11

Dogs are allowed in this block with a hunting permit. If accessing the block over private land, you must have landholder permission to take your dog.

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:

1. Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
2. Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.
3. Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.