Bluc Duck Scientific Reserve
Bluc Duck Scientific Reserve is a small Canterbury block of around 153 hectares within the South Marlborough permit area. Elevations run from about 245 m up to 781 m, with a median of 399 m, so this is lowland and foothill country well below the bushline.
None of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline. Slopes lean predominantly east, with a strong share of south-east faces as well, producing shaded sidles and gully heads that hold cover and feed. The country here is tight and broken rather than open.
Game on the permit includes red deer, wild goat and wild pig. Its compact size suits a short, focused stalk rather than a multi-day trip.
Open Bluc Duck Scientific Reserve on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 477 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 245–781 m
- Median elevation
- 399 m
- Middle 50%
- 331–525 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
245–781 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
There are no huts or formal campsites recorded inside the block, and air access is not listed as a permitted option here, so hunters work in on foot from the boundary. Plan to day-trip or fly-camp at the edge of the reserve and stalk in.
The block is also flagged as a wild animal recovery operations (WARO) zone, so commercial helicopter activity may overlap with hunters on the ground. Check current WARO status before heading in.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the South Marlborough 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 for the Bluc Duck Scientific Reserve. The block sits under the South Marlborough permit area and is classed as an Ordinary block with hunting permitted year-round, so there is no ballot or seasonal restriction to work around.
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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