Wilberforce
Wilberforce is a 27,146 ha public hunting block in Canterbury, spanning Arthur's Pass National Park and Craigieburn Forest Park. Elevations run from around 583 m on the valley floors up to 2,377 m on the high tops, with a median of about 1,266 m.
The block works as a mix of bush and tops — roughly 56% of the ground sits above the 1,200 m bushline, and about 30% pushes into true alpine country above 1,500 m. Slopes lean south-east, which gives cooler shaded mornings on the dominant aspect and warmer afternoon sun on the opposite faces for glassing.
The species list is red deer, tahr, chamois and wild pig. Wilberforce country gives reds through the beech and river flats, tahr and chamois on the upper faces and bluffs, and pigs through the lower scrub margins — a strong all-round Canterbury option.
Open Wilberforce on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 87,052 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 583–2,377 m
- Median elevation
- 1,266 m
- Middle 50%
- 1,002–1,569 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 56%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 30%
- Dominant aspect
- south-east-facing
583–2,377 m, mostly above the bushline, leaning south-east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Both fixed-wing and helicopter air access are permitted, which matters on a block this size — getting into the head basins on foot is a long commitment. WARO is also permitted, so commercial helicopter operators may be working the block.
Five huts and bivvies serve hunters across Wilberforce. Park Morpeth Hut in Arthur's Pass National Park has mattresses, lighting, a non-flush toilet and tap water (not treated — boil before use). In Craigieburn Forest Park, Unknown Stream Hut has heating, mattresses, a non-flush toilet and stream water; Urquhart's Hut has heating, a non-flush toilet and stream water; Moa Stream Hut has heating, mattresses, a non-flush toilet and stream water; Weka Burnet Bivvy has a non-flush toilet and stream water. None of the five are bookable. With five structures across 27,000-plus hectares, fly camping is still common for hunting away from them.
Huts & campsites
Mattresses, Lighting, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, Toilets - non-flush, Water from stream, Water supply
Mattresses, Lighting, Toilets - non-flush, Water from tap - not treated, boil before use, Water supply
Heating, Mattresses, 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 to hunt Wilberforce. It's an Ordinary block with a Permitted status, so permits are issued through the standard Canterbury permit system rather than a ballot. National park conditions apply in the Arthur's Pass portion — read them carefully before you go. Permits are free but must be on you while hunting.
1080 & pesticide status
- An operation is proposed for this area.
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