West Wanaka

You can hunt red deer and chamois in the West Wānaka hunting block, which takes in the western faces of Mt Alta and the Bent Burn.

Animals present are red deer and chamois in low to moderate numbers.

This block takes in the western faces of Mt Alta and the Bent Burn, which are covered in steep beech/tawhai forest, scrub and tussock.

This block is balloted for the roar period duirng the months of March and April.

See Wānaka roar block system

Take the Wānaka Mount Aspiring Road from Wānaka and turn right onto West Wānaka Road, about 5 km beyond Glendhu Bay. Beyond West Wanaka Station, there is 4WD access with permission from the landholder.

Aircraft access is by DOC permit only, contact local operators.

James Cochrane, West Wānaka Station, ph +64 27 329 3315.

NZTopo50 series: CA11, CA12

West Wānaka hunting block map (PDF, 2,094K)

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.

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

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

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.