53 - Upper Gates Gorge, Landsborough
Block 53 - Upper Gates Gorge, Landsborough is a 4,656 ha balloted roar block in the South Westland - Weheka permit area, in the Landsborough catchment. Elevations run from 162 m on the valley floor up to 2,217 m on the divide, with a median of 889 m.
The country is a strong mix of bush and tops — around 32% of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 20% pushes above the 1,500 m alpine line. Expect heavy West Coast bush on the lower spurs grading into scrub, tussock, scree and bluff country along the upper basins and ridges. Slopes lean north on the dominant aspect, giving warmer afternoon faces.
The block carries red deer, tahr and chamois. Reds work the bush and bush-edge; the upper basins and ridges give hunters a strong chance at tahr and chamois on the same trip.
Open 53 - Upper Gates Gorge, Landsborough on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 15,414 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 162–2,217 m
- Median elevation
- 889 m
- Middle 50%
- 503–1,378 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 32%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 20%
- Dominant aspect
- north-facing
162–2,217 m, a mix of bush and tops, leaning north-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 permitted, including helicopters, which is the standard way into the upper Landsborough catchment. WARO is also permitted, so commercial helicopters may be working in the same country.
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.
This block sits within a DOC air-access zone — fly-in hunting and helicopter drop-offs may be permitted.
A DOC hunting permit is required. Upper Gates Gorge, Landsborough 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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