Hunting in Murchison & St Arnaud

Overview

Murchison & St Arnaud covers 103,000 ha of public conservation land in the inland Tasman region, wedged between the Buller River to the north, Nelson Lakes National Park to the east, and the Wairau valley to the south. This is overwhelmingly bush country — beech forest and podocarp from the valley floors up to the ridge tops, with only a thin fringe of sub-alpine tops on the highest points.

The area is known to local hunters as a reliable year-round red deer destination, and it holds one of the more accessible fallow deer populations in the top of the South Island. The Big Bush block in the Mangles Valley is the best-known hunting destination here, with a long history of use by Nelson and Marlborough hunters. The Howard Forest country running east toward St Arnaud and the Rainbow Road is the other main axis, providing access to the northern fringe of the system.

This is a year-round standard permit area — no ballot, no roar restrictions. Hunters can plan trips at any time of year.

What You Can Hunt

• Red deer — dominant throughout. The beech and podocarp cover through the Mangles, Matakitaki, and Howard catchments holds strong resident populations year-round.
• Fallow deer — present in several catchments. The fallow rut in late March to April draws hunters who know the specific areas. One of the more reliably accessible fallow populations on public land in the top of the South Island.
• Wild pig — widespread through the lower valley floors and scrubby bush margins. Good numbers around the Murchison end of the block.
• Wild goat — present through the lower scrub and regenerating areas, particularly on steeper slip faces and bush margins.
• Chamois — on the higher ridges and faces where the block runs up toward the alpine line. Lower density than the Kaikōura or Nelson Lakes chamois country, but present.

Where to Hunt

The block covers four main catchment systems, each with its own character:

• Big Bush (Mangles Valley) — the headline destination, running south-west from near Murchison. Deep beech country with a local hunting reputation built over generations. Red deer in good numbers; fallow deer in pockets; pig widespread. Access via the Mangles Valley Road to the DOC track network. Big Bush has the feel of a dedicated hunting block — the tracks and terrain are built around the activity.
• Howard Forest — the block running east from Murchison toward St Arnaud and the Rainbow Road. Bush flats and ridges on the northern face of the Nelson Lakes catchment divide. Red deer throughout; pig and goat at the lower end. Several access points from the Howard Valley Road.
• Matakitaki catchments — south and west of Murchison, up the Matakitaki River. Beech-covered ridges, reasonably long walk-ins, and solid red deer numbers. Less pressured than Big Bush.
• Buller headwater margins — the western fringe of the block along the upper Buller and its tributaries. Accessible from the lower Murchison side; shorter trips and day hunts feasible.

Getting In

• Road — State Highway 6 passes through Murchison, which is the main staging point. The Mangles Valley Road, Howard Valley Road, and Matakitaki Valley Road spur into the main hunting catchments; most are gravel but 2WD accessible in dry conditions.
• Foot — once at the road end, all hunting is on foot via the DOC track network. No air access is permitted across the block; all entry is ground-based.
• Water — limited; some boat or packraft use on the lower Buller tributary, but foot access is the standard.

Seasons & Weather

Murchison & St Arnaud sits in a relatively sheltered inland position, drier than the West Coast and wetter than Marlborough. Good hunting is possible in any month.

Gear & Conditions

Bush hunting dominated — most shots are inside 150 metres in the beech and podocarp. Medium-calibre rifles (6.5mm–.308) in shorter barrel configurations handle well in the scrub and second-growth. Quality waterproofs and gaiters are worthwhile; the valley floors in this area can hold moisture year-round. Pig hunters running dogs should check current 1080 operational status before entering any part of the block — operations occur here from time to time.

Four huts serve the block: Tiraumea Hut, Speargrass Hut, Downies Hut, and Mole Hut. All are standard DOC huts (heating, mattresses, non-flush toilet, stream water). None are bookable — first-come, first-served. Carry a fly or tent as backup, particularly in the more remote catchments.

Permits & Regulations

Murchison & St Arnaud is an Ordinary permit area with Permitted hunt status. A standard free DOC hunting permit covers year-round access — no ballot, no roar restrictions. This is one of the simpler permit situations in the region.

The composite nature of the area means individual reserves within the block can occasionally have specific restrictions or temporary closures — check the latest DOC information for the specific catchment before each trip. WARO (winching and recovery operations) is permitted, so commercial recovery helicopters may be active over the block — factor this into planning glassing positions and routes.

Open the Map

Open Murchison & St Arnaud in the full hunting map →

The full block with huts, tracks, and current pesticide operations across the Big Bush, Howard, and Matakitaki country.

Useful Links

• DOC: Murchison conservation area
• DOC: Hunting permits
• DOC: Fallow deer hunting