The Blue Mountains RHA is located in the Blue Mountains Forest Conservation Area, east of Tapanui, west of Lawrence and northeast of Gore. Parts of the RHA border the Clutha River to the west, and the area consists of rolling hill country, beech forest, and open tops.

The Blue Mountains RHA is one of the more intensively used RHAs and is well known for its fallow deer hunting opportunities.

The RHA is divided into 23 hunting blocks which are balloted monthly from February through to the end of November. The area is then closed for hunting over December and January.

RHAs are areas of public conservation land where recreational hunters can enjoy and harvest meat without commercial competition. They were formally gazetted between the early and mid-1980s, following the hugely successful commercial recovery boom.

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Plan your hunt

The GAC Better Hunting Multi-Map tool can help you plan a hunt in the Blue Mountains RHA. It’s a one-stop-shop for links to weather forecasting, vegetation, pesticide operations, access and more.

Blue Mountains RHA on Multi-Map

Species present

The Blue Mountains RHA is one of New Zealand’s most accessible and consistent fallow deer hunting areas.

Other species present include:

  • Red deer
  • Wild pigs

Permit and ballots

The Blue Mountains RHA is covered by a restricted area permit and hunters must apply through DOC for permits for specific blocks and time periods.

Key access points

Access into the Blue Mountains RHA is generally via public roads from Tapanui, Lawrence and surrounding areas.

Common access points include:

  • Whisky Gully Road
  • Black Gully Road East
  • Hilljacks Road
  • Other access is through Ernslaw One forestry land including forestry roads leading off Rankleburn Road. Please use only the gates specified and report any suspicious behaviour to Ernslaw One or DOC.

Midweek vehicle access through Ernslaw One forestry areas requires hunters to be registered as an ‘approved hunter’ (which includes health and safety orientation) before gate codes can be issued. Check block information before applying. More information is available here.

Please refer to the WAMS (walking access) maps on the Multi-Map tool for more information on access.

Huts

There are no huts in the area.

Forest and terrain

The Blue Mountains RHA is characterised by rolling to moderately steep hill country, rather than alpine terrain, making it one of the more accessible RHAs in New Zealand.

The area is dominated by a mix of red and silver beech forest, with extensive areas of regenerating scrub, including kānuka and mānuka, particularly on previously logged or cleared land.

Open clearings, grassed faces and forest margins are common and provide key feeding areas for fallow deer. These edges between bush and open country are a defining feature of the Blue Mountains and are often productive hunting areas.

The terrain consists of a network of ridgelines, gullies and small catchments, with relatively short but often steep climbs. While there are no true alpine environments, the open tops and ridgelines provide good visibility for spotting animals, particularly during the rut.

Tips for hunting Blue Mountains RHA

The Blue Mountains RHA is widely regarded as one of the best places on public conservation land in New Zealand to hunt fallow deer, particularly during the rut (typically April). This is partly because access is managed through a booking system, which means hunting pressure is relatively consistent and hunters have certainty over the number of hunters in the blocks.

The terrain is rolling rather than alpine (highest point 1,019m), making it relatively accessible. The RHA is dominated by silver beech forest with large open tussock tops to the west. The bush in the northern area is shorter and denser. Good bushcraft is required.

Fallow deer are often found along bush edges, clearings and open faces. During the rut, bucks are more vocal and visible, while outside this period hunting success often relies on covering ground quietly.

Dogs

Dogs are permitted under DOC permit conditions, but must be:

  • Under strict control at all time
  • Compliant with any conditions attached to restricted permits

When crossing private land, including forestry land, dogs are to be on a leash until well into the forest and must remain under control at all times.

Local NZDA branches

The strong advocacy of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA) was key to the establishment of these areas and the creation of RHAs remains one of the important achievements of organised recreational hunting advocacy in New Zealand.

Local branches include:

Local DOC office

Invercargill DOC Office (If you want to visit this DOC office, call ahead to make an appointment)