Thread: Hawea/McKerrow conservation area Update.

We flew out of Big Hopwood on Wednesday for two reasons, first, rain was pending, and secondly and most importantly, No Deer! Lovely area, feed for nam but none of it eaten. We spent a lot of time glassing and going up the side creeks and going towards the heads of the valley, a couple of the guy's went down stream from the hut but it was the same there as well. We did find where a couple of hinds and fawns had crossed over but that was it. I did do a loop around a bush patch opposite the hut, and that's where I found the most sign, but it was three to four weeks old, and looking at it, only Hinds or younger animals. Possibly, if I carried on down the valley at that height, I may have found some deer but there was no roaring at all due to the very low numbers. There were Chamois higher up, and for that matter there was a young buck not far from the hut, but we were there to look for Red Stags not Chamois.
Looking though the hut book, there had been no deer shot above the hut for about 10 years, so there's been sparse pickings for some time.
When we got back to the Heli pad and talking to the pilot about the low numbers, he said that the WARO guys had gone though the area the first week of the ballot! and fairly annoyed some of the earlier hunters. That would explain why the sign was the age it was. They had hunted all the blocks right up to Forbes, the only block that still had a few animals in it was, High Burn, possibly because there was still cattle grazed there and the feed quality would have been better, and also they may not have been allowed to hunt it.
So should these blocks still be in the roar ballot, probably not, as all that is happening is it is wasting peoples time and money. The pilot from Back Country Helicopters said they're between a rock and a hard place as they don't do any WARO and ferrying in hunters is a big part of there business. There is no come back on the guys bombing the blocks up as they are entitled to do it when it suits them, so maybe DOC need to have a good hard think about things.
Grey Nomad, sorry I missed your call before we went in, it would have been good to get your idea on things.

The Minister for hunting and fishing should be able to sort it.
What is intriguing is the articles in the media regarding out of control deer populations, yet they never tell us where they are.

There is a prominent operator in the area who has zero qualms about stepping on toes

The operator you flew in with still does AATH in the area around makarora too, so even the good guys in the industry are shooting our game species.
Alpine helicopters are another story though... they did the waro on the 23/24th of March when they knew roar hunters had flown in and were in the area. Crooks

Originally Posted by T.w

The operator you flew in with still does AATH in the area around makarora too, so even the good guys in the industry are shooting our game species.
Alpine helicopters are another story though... they did the waro on the 23/24th of March when they knew roar hunters had flown in and were in the area. Crooks

Thanks for that T.w. I may have miss heard what was said. I have since heard that there is no love lost between the operators and if they can step on each others toes, they do.

I heard a rumour while living over the road from Alpine for 7 years he would shoot hi mother if brought in a $ but it was only a rumour.

To anyone unaware backcountry is now owned by Wanaka heli, thankfully for the sake of the makarora deer numbers harvey has retired. And yes deer numbers around Wanaka heavily rely on heli activity sadly.

Not sure if anyone is aware but rumor has it, that one of the above mentioned has recently purchased a Station at the top of the Haka. Be interesting what will happen to deer numbers around the Kirklistons and Hunter Hills

An update from DOC regarding the WARO in the Wanaka area.

From: Wanaka Roar <wanakaroar@doc.govt.nz>
Date: 5/20/25 11:13 AM (GMT+12:00)
To:
Subject: Important Update: Changes to Wānaka Roar periods for 2026
Kia ora,
We are writing to let you know about the upcoming Wānaka Roar Ballot for 2026 and onwards which are due to be released on Wednesday 1st October 2025.
Following valuable feedback from hunters and a review of WARO operations, we are making these adjustments to improve hunter experience and reduce overlap with other activities that require land management. These changes are designed to ensure safer, more enjoyable, and better- coordinated access during the Roar.

The key changes include:
Updated ballot block allocations to minimise conflict with WARO operations.
Improved alignment with hunter preferences based on the feedback we have received.
Clarified access arrangements to help all parties plan ahead more effectively.

Full details of the changes, including maps and revised dates, will be made available on our website ahead of the application period. The confirmed dates for 2026 are:
Period
2026 dates
One
Sun 22 March – Sat 28 March 2026

Two

Sun 29 March – Sat 4 April 2026

Three

Sun 5 April – Sat 11 April 2026

Four

Sun 12 April – Sat 18 April 2026

In the South Island WARO concession, WARO is not permitted during the standard roar dates of 29 March – 15 April. Under part D – Otago there is an extension of the roar period for which WARO is not permitted to include 23 March – 20 April.

Some feedback has also indicated an appetite for introducing ballot fees, consistent with practices in other areas. Any potential fee would be int we appreciate your consideration as we explore this further.
Some feedback has also indicated an appetite for introducing ballot fees, consistent with practices in other areas. Any potential fee would be introduced on a cost neutral basis
We value your input and continued support in help us to shape a fair and safe Roar Ballot process. If you have any questions or further suggestions you wish to share, please get in touch with me.

I think this bit (Some feedback has also indicated an appetite for introducing ballot fees, consistent with practices in other areas. Any potential fee would be introduced on a cost neutral basis) comes from other DOC offices. And I think they must have already had some "Feed Back" regarding the Waro, otherwise nothing would have happened. As a mate said, "A bit late now" or something close to.

Originally Posted by Harryg

Not sure if anyone is aware but rumor has it, that one of the above mentioned has recently purchased a Station at the top of the Haka. Be interesting what will happen to deer numbers around the Kirklistons and Hunter Hills

Which one?

Interesting, they must have seen the clarke boys roar video .

It will also mean that those above dates will be the same as the haast ballot blocks

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