Dobson
Dobson is a 6,288-hectare block in Ruataniwha Conservation Park, on the western side of the Mackenzie basin in Canterbury. Elevations range from 569 m at the valley floor to 2,607 m on the upper peaks, with a median of 1,021 m. About 35% of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 24% is alpine, giving a clear mix of bush and tops.
The block leans east-facing, with notable east and south-east aspects — sidles that catch morning sun and tend to hold animals well into the day. Lower country runs through beech and valley flats; higher up the block opens into tussock basins and rock.
Four species are recorded: red deer, tahr, chamois and wallaby. The species spread reflects the block's vertical range, from wallaby in the lower foothills through to tahr in the high basins.
Open Dobson on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 20,702 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 569–2,607 m
- Median elevation
- 1,021 m
- Middle 50%
- 797–1,457 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 35%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 24%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
569–2,607 m, a mix of bush and tops, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is permitted, opening up the upper basins to fly-in hunters. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) are also permitted, so commercial helicopter shooting can occur in season.
Two DOC huts sit within the block, both in Ruataniwha Conservation Park and neither bookable. Kennedy Memorial Hut has heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and tap water (boil before use). Grough Hut is simpler, with mattresses, non-flush toilets and stream water but no heating listed. Both offer a fixed base for walk-in trips.
Huts & campsites
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
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 for the Canterbury permit area. Dobson is classified Ordinary with Permitted hunt status, so the block is open year-round under the standard online permit system, with no ballot.
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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