St James
St James is a major 79,273 ha public hunting block in Canterbury, taking in the St James Conservation Area between the Lewis Pass and the Hanmer country. Elevations run from 524 m to 2,282 m with a median of 1,224 m, so the average ground sits right at the bushline and the upper half climbs well into alpine terrain.
With 53% of the block above the 1,200 m bushline and 21% above the 1,500 m alpine line, this is a mostly-above-bushline block — broad tussock basins, beech-bordered river valleys and rocky tops above. Slopes lean predominantly east, so morning light works well for glassing and the country opens up as the day progresses. The sheer scale of the block gives hunters real room to disperse and pick country to suit conditions.
The species list is classic eastern South Island: red deer, chamois and wild pig. Reds dominate the bush margins and gully systems, chamois work the upper faces and bluffs, and pigs turn up through the lower scrub and river-flat country.
Open St James on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 248,387 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 524–2,282 m
- Median elevation
- 1,224 m
- Middle 50%
- 993–1,459 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 53%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 21%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
524–2,282 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Both fixed-wing and helicopter air access are permitted, opening up the deeper valleys and high basins where ground travel is slow. WARO is also active across the block, so commercial recovery helicopters may be working the same country — worth factoring into route planning.
The hut network is one of the strongest in the region. Bookable huts include Christopher Hut and Anne Hut (both with heating, mattresses, non-flush toilets and tap water — boil before use). Non-bookable huts include Waiau Hut (similar facilities), Jervois Hut, Rokeby Hut, Christopher (Ada) Cullers Hut, Scotties Hut and Pool Hut. Hunters should still carry a fly or tent given how heavily some of these are used by trampers on the St James Walkway.
Huts & campsites
Water from stream, Water supply
- Christopher HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Water from stream, Water supply
Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
- Anne HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Water from stream, Water supply
- Christopher HutBookable
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Water from stream, Water supply
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 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 St James. The block is an Ordinary block with a Permitted status, so it sits in the standard Canterbury permit system rather than a ballot block. Permits are free and must be carried while hunting.
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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