Mill Creek
Mill Creek is a 1,806-hectare public hunting block in Otago, in the Catlins permit area in southern Otago. Elevations run from about 79 m up to 643 m with a median around 484 m, putting most of the ground in lowland and foothill country.
The block stays below the bushline throughout, so hunting is in bush, regenerating scrub or open faces rather than alpine tops. Slopes lean south-facing, which influences where animals feed and bed through the day.
Recorded game on the block includes red deer, wild goat and wild pig. It is mixed bush and edge country with deer, goats and pigs available rather than alpine game. The Catlins are coastal podocarp-broadleaf bush country, very different from the high alpine blocks further inland.
Open Mill Creek on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 3,552 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 79–643 m
- Median elevation
- 484 m
- Middle 50%
- 395–562 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- south-facing
79–643 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning south-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 and fixed-wing access is permitted on the block, though for low country like this most hunters drive in and walk from a vehicle. WARO is not permitted on the block, so commercial helicopter shooting is not a factor.
There are no DOC huts or campsites recorded inside the block, so hunters need to base themselves outside the boundary or carry a fly or tent.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Roar block in the Coastal Otago north of the Catlins permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
This block sits within a DOC air-access zone — fly-in hunting and helicopter drop-offs may be permitted.
Mill Creek is classified as a Roar block under the Coastal Otago north of the Catlins 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
- 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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