Southland

Special Feature: Good access to extensive hunting territory

The southernmost region has an incredible variety of terrain and wild game habitat and excellent opportunities to score a trophy.

The western border is the highly productive lakes region extending from the Mavora Lakes down through Te Anau, Manapouri, Monowai, Hauroko and Poteriteri. In the central area are the impressive rocky ramparts of the Takitimu Mountains along with the Hokonui Hills and the Longwood Range, which runs down to the south coast. The eastern perimeter is defined by the wilderness areas of the Catlins Hills and the Forest Range.

Red deer are present in low to moderate numbers throughout the central hill country and the Catlins, but can be found in heavier concentrations in the forbidding wilderness of the lake country. Bush hunting around the lakes definitely offers the best prospects but requires good compass and map skills. The rugged, featureless terrain and unpredictable weather can test the hunter’s patience as well as his bushcraft skills.

Wild pigs are spread throughout the region with the heaviest infestation in the western lake environs. Hunting with a team of dogs is the secret of success in this dense virgin bush. Goats are relatively scarce in Southland. Waterfowl hunting is very consistent, with good mallard duck and Paradise shelduck numbers. Canada geese can be hunted on the Fiordland National Park margins and along the south coast.

A range of helicopter and launch transport and guided hunting services into Fiordland, Stewart Island and Southland forests is available at Te Anau, Manapouri, Invercargill and Bluff. The range of wild game includes wapiti, red and whitetail deer, chamois, wild pig, goats, wild rams and small game. Boat transport from Bluff includes access to Paterson Inlet, Port Adventure, Port Pegusus, Mason Bay and Doughboy Bay on Stewart Island and Preservation Inlet and Dusky Sound in Fiordland. Good access to extensive hunting territory.