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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.
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