Blue Mountain Conservation Area
Blue Mountain Conservation Area is a 2,747 ha public hunting block in Canterbury. Elevations run from around 575 m on the lower faces up to 1,644 m on the high tops, with a median of about 1,146 m.
The block works as a mix of bush and tops — roughly 43% of the ground sits above the 1,200 m bushline, and about 10% pushes into true alpine country above 1,500 m. Slopes lean west, so morning glassing favours opposite faces and the country holds shade and cooler conditions on the dominant aspect through the warmer parts of the day.
The species list covers red deer, tahr, chamois and wild pig. With reds, tahr and chamois all on the block, it suits hunters wanting a chance at multiple species off a single trip.
Open Blue Mountain Conservation Area on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 9,063 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 575–1,644 m
- Median elevation
- 1,146 m
- Middle 50%
- 952–1,349 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 43%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 10%
- Dominant aspect
- west-facing
575–1,644 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning west-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Both fixed-wing and helicopter air access are permitted on Blue Mountain, which helps cut down the approach into the upper basins. WARO is also permitted, so commercial helicopter operators may be active on the block.
There are no huts or campsites inside Blue Mountain Conservation Area. Parties will need to fly camp or carry a tent for any trip longer than a day.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Canterbury 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 to hunt Blue Mountain Conservation Area. It's an Ordinary block with a Permitted status, so you apply through the standard Canterbury permit system rather than entering a ballot. Permits are free but must be carried in the field.
1080 & pesticide status
No current, planned or proposed pesticide operations intersect this block in our data. Always confirm with DOC before taking a dog in.
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