Able Lake
Able Lake is a 2,144 ha balloted Roar block in the Franz Josef - Waiau permit area. Elevations climb from 771 m on the lower edges to 2,362 m on the highest ground, with a median around 1,488 m.
This is predominantly alpine country — 76% of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 49% pushes well above 1,500 m. The dominant aspect is south, so the main faces stay cool and shaded for much of the day, which can hold animals on the open faces later into the morning.
The block carries red deer, tahr and chamois — strong tahr and chamois country given how much of the block sits above the bushline.
Open Able Lake on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 6,894 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 771–2,362 m
- Median elevation
- 1,488 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,209–1,751 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 76%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 49%
- Dominant aspect
- south-facing
771–2,362 m, predominantly alpine, leaning south-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, which is the practical way into a block where most of the ground sits at alpine elevation. WARO is also permitted, so the country sees commercial helicopter pressure outside the ballot.
No huts or campsites are listed within the block. Most parties fly in and tent up in a basin to work the surrounding faces.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Balloted Roar block block in the Franz Josef - Waiau 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. As a Balloted Roar block in the Franz Josef - Waiau ballot, prime roar dates need entry through the ballot. Outside the roar the block is Permitted on a standard permit.
1080 & pesticide status
- Pesticide (1080 or similar) has been laid in or near this block — check current dog and carcass restrictions before you hunt.
Get roar & 1080 alerts for the areas you hunt
We'll email you when pesticide operations, ballot dates or access conditions change for West Coast.
Sign up →