Raepahu Fernbird Ecological Area
Raepahu Fernbird Ecological Area is a small 126 ha ecological area inside Pureora Forest Park country, thick podocarp forest with sika in adjacent blocks. The country is lowland to foothill country, dominated by mature podocarp-hardwood forest typical of the Pureora area. Elevations run from about 351 m up to 468 m, with a median sample around 381 m.
The block leans predominantly to the north, so shaded sidles and faces are common on that side of the country.
Game on the permit includes red deer, wild goat and wild pig. Sika are the prized animal across the wider Pureora and central plateau country, and adjacent blocks carry strong populations. With its modest size, this suits a short, focused stalk rather than a multi-day trip.
Open Raepahu Fernbird Ecological Area on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 343 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 351–468 m
- Median elevation
- 381 m
- Middle 50%
- 367–398 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- north-facing
351–468 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning north-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
No huts or formal campsites are recorded inside the block, so this is set up as a day trip or fly-camp area.
The block is open to air access, which gives a practical option for parties dropping in onto a ridge or face rather than working in on foot. WARO is also active on this block, so be conscious of helicopter operations and check current activity before heading in.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Pureora Forest Park and surrounds 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 Raepahu Fernbird Ecological Area. The block is classed as Ordinary with hunting Permitted under the Pureora Forest Park and surrounds permit area, so there is no ballot or seasonal restriction beyond the standard permit conditions. Ecological areas have additional protections for native species and habitat; check that hunting is still open for the season.
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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