Heading to Molesworth in May, looking for advice

Greetings all,

New member from Alberta, Canada here.

After reading forums and watching videos for months, my hunting partner and I decided an adventure outside of Canada was in order. We decided on the beauty of New Zealand, mostly because of the vast DIY/Unguided options you guys graciously allow.

We initially tried to draw a ballot block, but were unsuccessful. But we figured applying for a block outside of the roar would be just as awesome for some remote back county hunting. We were successful in drawing the Beggs block from May 13-19, and I am curious about what we can except for typical weather in the area at that time. I looked at historical averages, using hammer springs as a location and the temps and rain fall don't look much different than the typical Canadian late fall hunting season.

I am assuming that your fall seasons are just as unpredictable as ours, in that there could be a deep freeze or it could be unseasonably warm.

I am also a little unsure about access in Molesworth. It looks like a decent road runs along the East side of the Beggs block but is separated by a river. Would crossing that river in May be advisable? I have done a bunch of water crossings in the rocky mountains, and while the water is cold and swift enough to make you sing soprano, they are seldom over knee deep and not very difficult to wade across. The DOC mentions road closures and other hurdles, but I am finding it hard to put all the info together in an easy to understand way. Google Earth has road names and river names on some things, but not others. Makes it hard for a guy to get his bearings.

We plan on coming out for about 2 weeks, the first week we plan on doing a couple over nighters to a couple different blocks to check things out and maybe even get lucky.

Any advice would huge in planning our adventure.

Cheers

Greetings, while I can't really offer any advice as I have only just started to get into hunting, I do live pretty much on the doorstep of the Molesworth. See the other Molesworth thread for some of the info I have posted there. Currently the road is closed due to the fire risk, it also closes after Easter for the winter but I don't know if they allow access by road to the blocks or not.

The Road to access Beggs is always open, unless snow closes it.
Holds reasonable deer and chamois numbers. River crossing should be ok but you'll need a good tent and sleeping bag - It'll be cold!

Thanks for the info! Not too worried about the cold. I'm used to working in -30°C

Do the roads get closed a lot due to snow?

Shouldn't be in May but who knows with the weather the last few years.

Have always wondered what happens when you go in, it snows and they close the gate.... There is phone reception so guess someone comes and let's you out. Would be nice to know who as a decent 4wd with chains is going g to be fine in snow up to a foot there, 2wd rental.... Yeah nah

So if Jack's pass is closed to snow is jollies also locked?

https://youtu.be/lLNFZ2-UjZ0

Looks a little cold even for a fellow Canuck! I subscribed to Kiwi Lads, good quauity videos mostly molesworth stuff maybe someone to contact if you haven't already! I equate Mid-May South Island NZ hunting to mid November whitetail hunting back home, like to hear how you make out ! Good Luck boys just be careful take all local advice, watch crossing rivers and come back safely with a nice stag!

Cool looking video! Thanks for tip.

Looks like I will have to bring the -40 bag

Hunted/ accessed Molesworth Stn. since early '80's, so my 2 cents worth. You should be alright for getting into your block. As said above the road is open all year along that stretch, only a problem if Jacks Pass is blocked by snow,Island Saddle is usually the problem coming from the other direction. River is usually alright for crossing, if there's snow around it comes up a bit later in day if hot enough to get a bit of snow melt. Weather can be hot or cold, always changeable. Have had shorts and t-shirt weather in winter and been f-cking freezing in November. Good luck with the hunting. Never know when you're going to have company from Hanmer locals through there.

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Originally Posted by woods223

Hunted/ accessed Molesworth Stn. since early '80's, so my 2 cents worth. You should be alright for getting into your block. As said above the road is open all year along that stretch, only a problem if Jacks Pass is blocked by snow,Island Saddle is usually the problem coming from the other direction. River is usually alright for crossing, if there's snow around it comes up a bit later in day if hot enough to get a bit of snow melt. Weather can be hot or cold, always changeable. Have had shorts and t-shirt weather in winter and been f-cking freezing in November. Good luck with the hunting. Never know when you're going to have company from Hanmer locals through there.

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Is leaving a truck by the road ever an issue out that way?

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Originally Posted by Philintheblank

Is leaving a truck by the road ever an issue out that way?

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Lewis pass road is a real hotspot for break ins, though i had heard there was someone caught (vacuums always get filled though) havent heard of any issues in molesworth

Supposedly there are now cameras at the St James and Boyle carparks, I can't confirm if this is true though.

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Originally Posted by Philintheblank

Is leaving a truck by the road ever an issue out that way?

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Never had a problem over the years but haven't hunted that area for 4 ? years.

I left my Landcruiser parked up on the side of the road in the Molesworth for 3 days during last years roar ballot period, got back (in the rain) to find someone had let one of my tyres down.

@ROKTOY, at least it wasnt 2....

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Originally Posted by 223nut

@ROKTOY, at least it wasnt 2....

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Would have been 20 min on the compressor instead of 10, still lousy to come back to. I would have been pissed if they had punctured it, but they had just taken the valve out.

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Originally Posted by ROKTOY

Would have been 20 min on the compressor instead of 10, still lousy to come back to.

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Was a nasty one near springs junction, hilux had EVERYTHING stripped off it. Matter of time till a tramper / hunter / anyone gets hypothermia, due to expecting a nice warm car to get out if the rain and finding smashed windows and no battery.

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Originally Posted by 223nut

Was a nasty one near springs junction, hilux had EVERYTHING stripped off it. Matter of time till a tramper / hunter / anyone gets hypothermia, due to expecting a nice warm car to get out if the rain and finding smashed windows and no battery.

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My Sis In Law does a lot of the AA callouts in Reefton, She has seen a couple of wagons stripped out on the Rahu Saddle, you are right, it could have a disastrous outcome one day.

Lake Sumner carpark at Windy point is another known hotspot for thieves

Is the stretch of land between Tophouse road and the clarence river private land? Our plan was to park somewhere along the road and cross the river into the block. I guess I assumed it was public, but if it is private, how would I go about getting a hold of the landowner to gain permission. I would be fine paying a fee if needed.

Estentially the road from hanmer to lake tennyson , to the west is st james conservation, also hanmer forest. To the east molesworth station. Same applies to the road to acheron confluence.

Exeptions being the ski field (anyone shot anything a ski lift before.......) and the st james homestead. Fowlers pass hut.... its a roof walls and a fireplace thats it.

Check out the nztopo 50 map for south island, $5 nz 1.2gb xovers the whole thing o your phone, no need for reception (how kuch did we pay for paper topos that you needed four of as you where in the wrong corner of the bloody thing)

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Originally Posted by Philintheblank

Is the stretch of land between Tophouse road and the clarence river private land? Our plan was to park somewhere along the road and cross the river into the block. I guess I assumed it was public, but if it is private, how would I go about getting a hold of the landowner to gain permission. I would be fine paying a fee if needed.

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There are always vehicles parked down of the road.People either fishing, or crossing the river to hunt, so it is generally accepted practise. In saying that, there are limited spots where you can drive down off the road, but I dont see why your situation is any different
Personally I wouldn't worry about it

It started raining in Hanmer at 7.30pm tonight and is meant to carry on tomorrow.

I've hunted the Molesworth and happy to provide advice. Give me a call if you want 021 0309461.

I hunted Alberta a few years ago and it was awesome.

Looks like Acheron Rd is still closed but they have just re opened the Edwards valley today

Put up some CCTV signs.