Middle Pisa Conservation Area
Middle Pisa Conservation Area is a 7,018-hectare public hunting block in Otago, within the Central Otago and Remarkables permit area. Elevations run from about 619 m up to 1953 m with a median around 1553 m, putting most of the ground in predominantly alpine country.
Around 63% of the country sits above the 1,500 m alpine line, so expect snow tussock, rock and exposed faces through the upper guts. Slopes lean south-west-facing, which shapes where sun, snow and feeding animals concentrate through the day.
Recorded game on the block includes red deer, chamois, wild goat and wild pig. Reds work the bush and lower sidles while chamois sit higher on the open faces and tops. It is inland Central Otago tussock and schist country rather than the bigger glaciated drainages further west.
Open Middle Pisa Conservation Area on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 23,870 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 619–1,953 m
- Median elevation
- 1,553 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,434–1,675 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 95%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 63%
- Dominant aspect
- south-west-facing
619–1,953 m, predominantly alpine, leaning south-west-facing.
What you can hunt here
This is a roar — the red deer roar peaks from late March into April, and competition for the block is highest then.
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is permitted on this block, which gives charter operators a way to put hunters into upper basins and faces that would otherwise mean a long valley walk. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) is also permitted, meaning commercial helicopters may be working the same country at times — worth factoring into trip timing.
Two DOC huts sit within the block: Kirtle Burn Hut and Meg Hut. Kirtle Burn Hut in Pisa Conservation Area provides mattresses, a non-flush toilet and stream water (bookable through DOC). Meg Hut in Pisa Conservation Area provides heating, mattresses, a non-flush toilet and stream water.
Huts & campsites
- Kirtle Burn HutBookable
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
- Kirtle Burn HutBookable
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Roar block in the Central Otago and The Remarkables 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.
Middle Pisa Conservation Area is classified as a Roar block under the Central Otago and The Remarkables permit area, with a Permitted hunt status. A DOC hunting permit is required but no ballot applies — apply through the standard online system. Expect more pressure through the roar window in late March and April.
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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