How do you hold your shee....No no just kidding.

Whats the go with a visiting hunter (from Australia say) in hunting over there on public land. How does one get access to those huts I read about? Is there a ballot or do you just book them?

Which huts are you talking about Bakes? If there on the 'great walks' then it cost a bit more, I think you can freedom walk them and the hut side of thing is a bit over 50 a night and they must be booked.

If it's for hunting blocks then you can either buy a hut pass which is about $70 per year for as many nights as you want. Or you can buy tickets, that depends on how many nights and the grade of the hut as to the cost.

The facts are here http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-a...bookings/hut-passes/

As for how you get there, well you've got legs haven't you? SOME huts can be accessed by machine some can't, that comes down to where you want to go. Just remember how many animals are shot on the way in or out....

There is no chance of you being let into New Zealand for any reason,least of all with a firearm

I keep seeing huts in Kiwi shooting mags. I assumed they were on public land as the authors say that "you never know who will tun up"

What the go with hunting blocks?

Oh and TP....

For most of the country, all you have to do to hunt public land is call into the Dept of Conservation office closest to where you wish to go, and ask for a hunting permit (free) and if you intend to stay in a hut, then hut pass'
They cost 5 bucks each, and depending on what amenities are offered, you will need between 1 and 3 pass' per night. Huts are first in first served, so be prepared to sleep on the floor or table if its popular.
Blocks are mostly only applicable in areas of special interest, I.E. some of the better roar hunting areas, the wapiti Ballot,A good part of Sika country and the Tahr ballot. Again most of the country is first in first served.
If you want, send me your address, and I'll post you a copy of the spot X book. It has a breif overveiw of over 1000 hunting spots, including access, any restrictions, contact phone numbers, Aircraft operators and permits etc.

Bakes when you coming over??? I could take you out shooting for few days.

Annual Hut Pass costs NZD$90. This gives you unlimited access to all the Back Country Huts administered by Department Of Conservation.
Normally you are only allowed to stay maximum 3 nights in one location.
You can;t book them, it's first come, first serve.
This is the majority of huts in hunting areas on public land, New Zealand.
There a few huts that belong to clubs, so you would need to make arrangements with the club, if you want to use one of theirs.
Clubs include: NZDSA, NZ Alpine Club, Canterbury Mountaineering Club, SCI.
Usually the areas surrounding huts are not great hunting.
You're better off using a tent, and getting into areas that don't get the hunting pressure.
There is plenty of great hunting on Public Land, where you need only a D.O.C. Hunting Permit (Free)
Generally, the harder you work i.e.difficult access, then the better the hunting.
Helps to be pointed in the right direction by someone in the know..

Thanks for the info guys, I'll send you a PM Shanks.

TP. I'm thinking of applying for ANZAC exchange next year. Thats an exchange program for CPL's between the RAAF and the RNZAF for 3 months. Have to jump through some hoops first though.

Try be over here for May/June

Don't get a choise on the dates I'm afraid TP.

quote:

Have to jump through some hoops first though.

Do they make hoops that big these days ?????

Once you know when you are coming over and where you will be stationed just discuss it on here and someone will point you in the right direction as to where to hunt and huts etc.

If you are paying by the day on a private block the hut is yours as part of the deal. We tend to use public land and as someone else said near the huts on public land in particular is usually heavily hunted. Most private blocks have either 4wd, heli or fixed wing access.

Hey Muzza...

heres a hoop for you Bakes

http://www.dailyhaha.com/_vids/FatMan_Hoola.htm

Gidday Bakes,

Is that something like Ex Long Look like they used to do between us, you guys and the Brits in the 70s and 80s.

Had a ball on that trip. The Poms are sex mad alchoholics and thats just the girls. We are a little more subdued and classy here mate.

Hope you get over here. When you find out let us know when and we will see what we can ge t worked out for you.

Happy Hunting

Hamish

Yes hamish, we still do Long Look but its for SGT's and above. ANZAC exchange is one CPL's can get on.