Best access for Mt Oxford or Mt Thomas

Hey guys, once I get my rifles sighted in next weekend (cheers for the help team) im going to go armed tramping for a day trip out of Christchurch. I want to start my hunting around Mt Oxford or Mt Thomas as it is nice and close which should allow me to get out there more often. Im not looking for any secret spots as I will eventually find my own honey spots but more looking for the places to park my car where 1: it most likely wont get broken into and 2: wont get rolled by an angry farmer or local. I was thinking about heading up Big Ben Saddle from the Coopers Creek carpark? Any advice / experience would be greatly appreciated.
Chur

Coopers creek is a safe place to park. Parked there a number of times overnight with no issues.

Big Ben is pretty good, got a pig there a couple of weeks ago, a fair few deer.

just be aware that if you were looking at heading up to the saddle itself via the forestry road it has washed out pretty badly from the rain so I wouldn't try taking a ute up there.

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Originally Posted by 16Tontovarish

Big Ben is pretty good

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Long time since I've been up there.... Do you know if there's suitable parking at the end of Sladdens Bush Rd?

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Originally Posted by Chazzwazzer

Long time since I've been up there.... Do you know if there's suitable parking at the end of Sladdens Bush Rd?

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I wouldn't leave a vehicle there, some people think they own the place.....

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Originally Posted by stug

Coopers creek is a safe place to park. Parked there a number of times overnight with no issues.

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Have they installed paid parking here yet - seriously, they'd make a killing!

A bit of advice when it comes to hunting Oxford. Get up early.

Use to hunt up there a bit few yrs ago,fk you thort there was a mountain bike auction at each car park.Coming down Mt Richmond one Sunday morning,40 walkers coming up the track.WTF he s got a rifle,3 0r 4 of them stopped me,asking what i was doing with a rifle,i said bird watching.They should all fk off and walk the beach between Birdlings flat and half way down to the Rakaia river mouth.Get losted in other words.

I use to go up Blow Hard track in the morning darkness,hear the odd deer running off the track.Get to the top just on day ligth.Vast area to look over at first ligth.Walk along the tops to Richmond,then you met the walkers coming up the mount.Time to get out of the area.

What, if any Bush is around, what carpark wouldbebest? Need to get out with my dog and prefer Bush hunting.. cheers

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Originally Posted by SikaHuntaa

What, if any Bush is around, what carpark wouldbebest? Need to get out with my dog and prefer Bush hunting.. cheers

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Anywhere off the Wharfdale track on the right hand side if the ridge

Hey bro. You looking for anyone to head out with from Christchurch? I'm still waiting on my licence but got enough gear to hang out in the bush.

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Originally Posted by SikaHuntaa

What, if any Bush is around, what carpark wouldbebest? Need to get out with my dog and prefer Bush hunting.. cheers

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coopers creek then, join the wharfedale track

heaps of walkers tho