Ohau Moraines
Ohau Moraines is a compact 2,118 ha public hunting block in Canterbury, sitting on the glacial moraine country near Lake Ohau. Elevations run from 621 m to 1,234 m with a median of 687 m, so the bulk of the block is on the moraine flats and low rolling ground rather than up in the high country.
With 0% above the 1,200 m bushline and 0% above 1,500 m, this is foothill country — open moraine, matagouri and scrub gullies with a small share of higher ground at the edges. Slopes lean predominantly east, which means morning sun warms the main faces and glassing in the first hours of light works in the hunter's favour.
The species list is short but useful for the area: red deer, tahr and chamois. Reds will be the most reliable target on this kind of moraine country, with tahr and chamois more likely on the bluffier edges where the ground breaks up.
Open Ohau Moraines on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 6,852 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 621–1,234 m
- Median elevation
- 687 m
- Middle 50%
- 656–751 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
621–1,234 m, foothill country with low tops, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Both fixed-wing and helicopter air access are permitted, although given the small footprint and low elevation most hunters will work in from the road network and surrounding country. WARO is also permitted, so commercial recovery helicopters may be active on the block.
There are no DOC huts or campsites on Ohau Moraines. Hunters need to be self-sufficient on shelter and water, either day-hunting off the road network or carrying a tent for overnights.
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 Ohau Moraines. The block is an Ordinary block with a Permitted status, so it falls under the standard Canterbury permit system rather than a ballot block. Permits are free and must be carried while hunting.
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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