Upper Severn
Upper Severn is a 5,111-hectare roar block on the Molesworth Station and Clarence grazing lease, sitting at the head of the Severn catchment in inland Marlborough. Elevations run from 1,049 m to 2,164 m with a median of 1,556 m — the entire block is high-altitude terrain.
Ninety per cent of the block sits above the 1,200 m bushline and 57% is alpine, putting it firmly in the predominantly alpine bracket. Expect broad tussock basins, scree, snow grass and exposed ridge systems. The country leans west-facing, with strong west and south-west aspects — afternoon-sun faces and the prevailing nor-wester working the upper guts.
The permit covers red deer, chamois and wild goat. The high alpine country suits chamois work particularly well; reds hold the lower fringes and head-of-catchment basins, and goats range the rougher rocky country.
Open Upper Severn on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 15,897 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 1,049–2,164 m
- Median elevation
- 1,556 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,345–1,751 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 90%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 57%
- Dominant aspect
- west-facing
1,049–2,164 m, predominantly alpine, leaning west-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
Air access is not permitted on Upper Severn, but WARO is permitted, so commercial recovery helicopters may be active over the alpine country during the season. Hunters walk in from the legal access points on the Molesworth side.
No DOC huts sit within the block, so this is fly-camp country. Alpine tussock pitches and stream-side flats are the camp options; shelter is limited at this altitude. Carry a fly or tent and confirm Molesworth access status before leaving.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Roar block in the Molesworth Station and Clarence grazing lease permit area, with a hunting status of Restricted.
Commercial wild-animal recovery (WARO) operates over this area — expect helicopter activity and pressured game.
Upper Severn is a Roar block with Restricted hunt status under the Molesworth Station and Clarence grazing lease permit area. Apply specifically for the roar period through DOC's standard process; rolling permits do not cover this block. Check current dates and access rules before applying.
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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