Thread: Hunting Wapiti Areas in November

Hey guys,
Just after a bit of advice, apologies if this subject has been previously covered.
I'm currently planning my next longer trip down to fiordland in my wee boat, looking to do the last bit from Doubtful to Milford sound. I'll be taking the rifle along, but thought I'd just check if its okay/respectful to hunt the wap blocks out of season (mid Nov to mid Dec)? Of course I'd only shoot a very small or yearling red deer or chamois if they're around, no wapiti. Don't want to step on any toes or have too much meat!
And if so, do I need to apply for a separate permit from the te anau doc office to hunt these blocks?
I'd appreciate any input .
Also if anyone's heading in to deep cove 14-20th Nov and could squeeze in a skint hunter and his roll up boat let me know 😆
Cheers, Tasman

If the blocks are open its fair game to hunt. Trying to only take mature bulls if you see Wapiti is the same year round ballot or not really. Lots of people hunt the the easier access blocks out of ballot. Bulls will have dropped antler so id avoid them in November. Be a cool trip for sure.

It is a restricted permit area.

Originally Posted by NZ Wild Adventures

Hey guys,
Just after a bit of advice, apologies if this subject has been previously covered.
I'm currently planning my next longer trip down to fiordland in my wee boat, looking to do the last bit from Doubtful to Milford sound. I'll be taking the rifle along, but thought I'd just check if its okay/respectful to hunt the wap blocks out of season (mid Nov to mid Dec)? Of course I'd only shoot a very small or yearling red deer or chamois if they're around, no wapiti. Don't want to step on any toes or have too much meat!
And if so, do I need to apply for a separate permit from the te anau doc office to hunt these blocks?
I'd appreciate any input .
Also if anyone's heading in to deep cove 14-20th Nov and could squeeze in a skint hunter and his roll up boat let me know ��
Cheers, Tasman

I don't know anything about the permit system there.
But good on you for asking.
Often fishing parties see deer and get after them without realising that shooting a spiker in that area is quite different to shooting a spiker from a less significant herd.

I would have thought shooting any wap stag this time of year would be silly?


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Take only photos, leave only turds. I’m looking into how to volly stoat trap a Wap block. Would love to snap pics of some late summer stripper action.

Cool as, its mostly going to be a fishing trip but it wouldn't be the same without a rifle 😆.
Would be interesting to see how far into velvet growing they are in late Nov, hopefully get a bit of footage!

Take a Tuna lure or two. Plenty of red deer about to break the monotony of cod, paua and crays to eat. I enjoyed your last big adventure down that way. Call in to Anita bay for the tangiwai stone. Poison Bay has some pretty good sand flys as does most areas down there. Good sailing.

Good idea, will do! A bit of venison would go down a treat, might have to share it round with the summer heat though. Good recommendation that I'll have to have a wee forage. Hopefully sleeping on the boat this time will keep away the worst of the sandflies 😅 cheers!

Email fiordlandVC@doc.govt.nz to get a permit for the wapiti areas outside of the ballot, I have done so before, you will have to provide them a bit of information but relatively straight forward.

Awesome Tasman. Love your work. Get into it. Would be could to see a fresh take on hunting that country.

Cant believe the bluefin mish x 2. Having been attached to a range of bigger fish, I think you'll find it all pretty severe when you hook one. Either way it'll be epic and make great footage.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Email fiordlandVC@doc.govt.nz to get a permit for the wapiti areas outside of the ballot, I have done so before, you will have to provide them a bit of information but relatively straight forward.

Attachment 286651

Thanks for that Ryan, I'll get onto that pronto!

Originally Posted by Cowboy

Awesome Tasman. Love your work. Get into it. Would be could to see a fresh take on hunting that country.

Cant believe the bluefin mish x 2. Having been attached to a range of bigger fish, I think you'll find it all pretty severe when you hook one. Either way it'll be epic and make great footage.

Good luck.

Thanks mate! Might'nt do too much hunting, looks rather steep round there 😆.
Haha it's gonna be loose for sure, particularly if I hook a big mako, that'll be not so good 😂. Cheers

Shouldn't be a problem to get a permit for any of these blocks. But generally applied for at the Te Anau office, limited to a short period and specific block. This may work for you trip.

I'm really surprised that other don't hunt these block outside of the ballot period or even as a scouting trip to their ballot block in Feburary etc. Perfectly legal (with the restricted permit) and a good oppoturnity to see what's there. Or even after the ballot periods incase you miss out for the ballot.

Before people jump up and down about the trophy wapiti, sounds like you are just after some meat. There are plently of reds in the coastal blocks too.

Some good info above from @Ryan_Songhurst

The coastline blocks are mostly red bloodline.

Next time you go Southern/Pacific tuna fishing on the west coast you definitely need some kind of bungi cord or drag system in your handline setup.
I have made and have straightened hooks from 10mm 316 s/s.

You need to be prepared for 400kilos of muscles hitting your hook at 30+knots.

Love your work keep it up.