Thread: Clarify - 'Hunting areas' vs Public Conservation Land

Probably been covered at some point - but can anyone clarify the difference between general 'Public Conservation Land' vs. land designated as 'Hunting Areas'.
In most cases the two overlap, but there are some areas that don't. Small reserves etc make sense for no hunting, as well as public land either privately leased, restricted or balloted, but larger areas with no obvious restriction?

Thank you

Yes, within the DOC estate there are restricted and no hunting areas. Even within the “open hunting area” there are “grazing concessions’ where it pays to be a bit circumspect as to whether to hunt the area. If unsure, contact local DOC office. @Barry the hunter can probably clarify it for you, ex DOC.

Here is a handy map resource from DoC. Using the 'DOC Features' tab you can select conservation areas, hunting areas etc.
Looks better if you change the base map to topo

https://www.doc.govt.nz/map/index.html

Not all Public Conservation Land (PCL) is open hunting area. Some is closed (no hunting at all), some is restricted (ballotted or otherwise requires a special permit), and some has no hunting status - I.e. has not been assessed yet, usually for no clear good reason however tends to be recent(ish)PCL acquisitions.

There may be concessions or etc active on a piece of PCL where hunting is open, this usually has no significance for you - if it's open, it's open - except for special conditions. DOC Maps layers are the best source of information on status, then the hunting permit page for specific area permit conditions.

Originally Posted by gimp

Not all Public Conservation Land (PCL) is open hunting area. Some is closed (no hunting at all), some is restricted (ballotted or otherwise requires a special permit), and some has no hunting status - I.e. has not been assessed yet, usually for no clear good reason however tends to be recent(ish)PCL acquisitions.

There may be concessions or etc active on a piece of PCL where hunting is open, this usually has no significance for you - if it's open, it's open - except for special conditions. DOC Maps layers are the best source of information on status, then the hunting permit page for specific area permit conditions.

yes our old mate gimp here sums it all up pretty well- some DOC administered land is a no go for hunting - but do some research and see why if to you it seems it should be open for hunting - there are some historic cases that could do with a challenge - Conservation Act and NZ DOC deer policy state basically that DOC Administered land should be free and unrestricted access - so ask DOC why is it closed - you can have wins - there was a little reserve out on south head Kaipara called Lake Rototoa Scenic Reserve - had fallow in it but closed for hunting - I asked the Area Manager at Warkworth why - well complaints from farmers out there poaching and complaints from a group overseeing fallow hunting in adjoining pine forests -I complained and quoted the DOC Deer policy - free and unrestricted access - just because the neighbours may not like it was not a valid reason to refuse a permit - I got my permit and enjoyed some great little hunts there - so give it a go if you think the reason is not sound for a refusal to allow hunting in an area -its our land not DOC,s