12 - McKay Creek
Block 12 - McKay Creek is a 4,882 ha balloted roar block in the South Westland - Weheka permit area. Elevations run from 85 m on the valley floors up to 1,548 m, with a median of 627 m.
The country is largely a mix of bush and lower tops, with about 7% of the block above the 1,200 m bushline and a small fringe pushing into the alpine zone. Expect heavy West Coast bush on the lower faces grading into scrub and a few exposed ridge tops above timberline. Slopes lean north-west on the dominant aspect.
The block carries red deer, tahr and chamois. Reds work the bush and bush-edge; the small alpine fringe gives an outside chance at tahr and chamois on the higher tops.
Open 12 - McKay Creek on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 16,294 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 85–1,548 m
- Median elevation
- 627 m
- Middle 50%
- 268–912 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 7%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- north-west-facing
85–1,548 m, foothill country with low tops, leaning north-west-facing.
What you can hunt here
This is a balloted roar block — the red deer roar peaks from late March into April, and competition for the block is highest then.
Access & getting there
Air access is not permitted on this block, so hunting parties will need to walk in from the surrounding country. WARO is permitted, so commercial helicopters may still be working alongside ground-based hunters.
There are no DOC huts inside the block. Plan on fly camp or tent for any overnight trip.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Balloted Roar block block in the South Westland - Weheka permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
A DOC hunting permit is required. McKay Creek is a Balloted Roar block — access during the roar is allocated through DOC's South Westland ballot, with successful applicants drawing exclusive use of the block for a defined period. Outside the balloted roar window, check current DOC rules for the permit area.
1080 & pesticide status
- Pesticide (1080 or similar) has been laid in or near this block — check current dog and carcass restrictions before you hunt.
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