Hunting NZ

Hunting in West Coast

West Coast

Overview

The West Coast is the wettest, wildest, and bush-deepest hunting region in New Zealand. The country runs from the Karamea coast in the north down through Greymouth, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Fox, and Haast to the Cascade and Pyke catchments at the southern end. The Southern Alps form the eastern wall; the Tasman Sea forms the western one. Between them sits a strip of beech-podocarp forest, glacier-fed rivers, and granite bluffs that holds extraordinary numbers of red deer and a slice of New Zealand's chamois and tahr range.

For many hunters, the West Coast is the apex meat-hunting destination — red deer densities are very high through most catchments, and most hunters who put time in here come out with venison. It is also one of the most physically punishing regions to hunt in: rivers cut across access, leatherwood and supplejack chokes the lower bush, and the weather is unforgiving. The reward is country that still feels genuinely wild.

What You Can Hunt

  • Red deer — abundant the length of the Coast. Easily the strongest meat-hunting destination in NZ.
  • Chamois — established on the alpine tops from roughly Hokitika south through Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
  • Tahr — south end of the Coast, in the Whitcombe and Karangarua catchments and adjacent country.
  • Fallow deer — limited pockets, mostly in the southern half.
  • Wild pig — common through coastal scrub, river flats, and forestry margins.
  • Wild goat — present through bush margins and broken country.

Where to Hunt

  • Kahurangi (West Coast side) — Karamea, Mokihinui, and Karamea River headwaters. Red deer and pig.
  • Paparoa National Park — limestone karst and beech bush between Westport and Greymouth. Red deer and pig.
  • Westland Tai Poutini National Park — glacier country from south of Hokitika to the Haast. Red deer and chamois throughout; tahr in the southernmost catchments.
  • Whitcombe, Hokitika, and Wanganui catchments — classic West Coast valleys with red deer in the bush and chamois on the tops.
  • Karangarua, Copland, and Landsborough catchments — south Westland; tahr appear here at the south end of the recognised feral range.
  • Cascade and Pyke — extreme southern West Coast, demanding access; red deer, chamois, and the very southern fringe of the tahr range.

Getting In

  • Road — State Highway 6 runs the length of the Coast. Forestry and DOC roads spur east into most major river systems but stop at the bush edge.
  • Foot — every catchment requires foot work from the road end. River crossings are unavoidable in many valleys; flood waiting is part of the trip.
  • Air — helicopter access is widely used for West Coast hunting, particularly into the more remote tahr and chamois country in south Westland. Fixed-wing strips are rare on the Coast.
  • Water — jet-boat access into some lower rivers (notably the Karangarua, Haast, and Cascade), tide- and flow-dependent.

Seasons & Weather

The West Coast receives some of the heaviest rainfall in the country — 5 to 9 metres a year in places near the divide. Trips need to be planned around weather windows and a few days of buffer for river floods. Snow on the tops is a year-round possibility above 1500 metres.

PeriodWhat's happeningNotes
Mar–AprRed roarExcellent through every major catchment.
May–JulTahr and chamois rutSouth Westland; tahr peaks late May to mid July.
Jun–AugWinterHeavy snow on the tops, deer dropping into bush. Strong meat hunting.
Sep–NovSpringVelvet stags appearing; weather still demanding.
Dec–FebSummerLong days, tops accessible, sandflies dense at low altitude.

Gear & Conditions

The West Coast eats gear. Waterproofs that work in 12 hours of rain, gaiters, river-crossing footwear, and a rifle that handles being wet. A medium calibre in 6.5mm through .30 covers all deer and chamois; serious tahr hunters often run heavier. Sandflies are extreme in the lower valleys — head net, repellent, and a long-sleeve top help. Multi-day trips need to budget for being weather-bound; bring a couple of extra days' food.

Permits & Regulations

A free DOC permit covers public conservation land throughout the region. Tahr hunting on conservation land is permitted but takes place within the framework of DOC's active aerial-control programme — hunters should check current control status for any catchment before flying in. Helicopter access is permitted but subject to current concessions and DOC operational rules. Pig dog hunting is allowed subject to dog-control conditions and current 1080 operations. Many catchments fall under 1080 operations from time to time — always check the DOC pesticide summary before travel.

Open the Map

Open the West Coast in the full hunting map →

National parks, forest parks, hunting blocks, tracks, huts, and current pesticide operations the length of the Coast.

Useful Links

Game animals in West Coast

Hunting areas in West Coast

97 DOC hunting blocks — species, huts, access and an interactive map for each.