Smithys Spur - Blue Mountains
Smithys Spur is a 794 ha block in the Blue Mountains, in the Murihiku Hunting Restricted Areas permit network. Elevations run from 248 m to 838 m, with a median of 492 m — lowland / foothill country with no bushline.
This is classic Blue Mountains terrain — beech forest, regenerating scrub and farmland edges across rolling hills. The block leans south-east, so the morning sun catches the dominant faces early. Country is short enough that a party can cover most of it over a long weekend.
Game on the permit is fallow deer and wild pig. The Blue Mountains carry one of southern Otago's better public-land fallow populations and Smithys Spur gives controlled access to that herd.
Open Smithys Spur - Blue Mountains on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 2,842 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 248–838 m
- Median elevation
- 492 m
- Middle 50%
- 402–607 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- south-east-facing
248–838 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning south-east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is permitted on Smithys Spur. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) are not permitted on this RHA block.
There are no DOC huts or campsites on the block — plan for a day trip or fly-camp.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a RHA block in the Murihiku Hunting Restricted Areas permit area, with a hunting status of Restricted.
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, and Smithys Spur sits within the Murihiku Hunting Restricted Areas. As an RHA with a Restricted hunt status, the Blue Mountains blocks carry ballot or allocation conditions on hunter numbers — confirm the current arrangement with DOC before booking.
1080 & pesticide status
- An operation is planned for this area.
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