DOC hunting area

Sugarloaf

OpenRecreational Hunting Area1,477haMount Aspiring National Park east of divide

Alerts

DOC alerts

Loading…

Full alerts on doc.govt.nz

MetService warnings

Loading…

All warnings on metservice.com

DOC: Loading…MetService: Loading…
Boundaries

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 Data retrieved 31 July 2026 and may now be out of date.

Species

Chamois, Deer - Red, Deer - White-tail

Permit requirements

A permit is required to hunt on public conservation land.
This hunting area is covered by an 'open area permit' – get it online.

Seasonal restrictions

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.

Dog access

No dogs

About this hunting block

You can hunt chamois, whitetail and red deer in the Sugarloaf hunting block.

Animals present are chamois, whitetail and red deer.

General information

This block takes in the true left flanks (only once 500 m away from the Routeburn Track) of the lower Routeburn Valley including Bridal Veil Falls, Sugarloaf Stream and Sugarloaf itself.

Hunting is not permitted:

  • within 500 m of the Routeburn Track, and rifle bolts must be removed while in the Routeburn Valley, and
  • in the area bordered by the Dart River, the Route Burn and Lake Sylvan due to it being a high use tramping area.
Access

Access is by following the Routeburn Track for 15 minutes before turning up Sugarloaf Stream – the hunting block begins once 500 m away from the Routeburn Track.

Maps

NZTopo50 series: CB09

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed in this block as it is part of Mount Aspiring National Park.

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:

  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.

Weather

Forecast near the middle of the block