Thread: First time New Zealand hunting - August / September

August, time on your hands and really fit I assume?

A hut pass from DoC which lasts 12 months and as many hut visits as you like in the right grade of hut. Permits are online and free for all the doC areas. A note here, I think August is still off season for the major tracks. So you have got a lot of very handy huts around Fiordland and no trampers to deal with The gas is turned off in them for the off season so you need cooking gear and a sleeping bag. Done. This opens up some very cool area's that hold deer and you can travel real light.
Be warned though, some people can't handle the bush down there as it's pretty intense in places, shooting deer at under ten metres.
The weather will do what it does, but snow won't be any kind of a major problem down low. If you do get some as a rule it will be gone in a day or two.

Dusky track (serious track) Access by boat and can take you over to one of the sounds.
Lake Alabaster/Horoko Access to track end via car
Lake Monowai Access to track end via car
Kepler track Access to track end via car
Back Valley Access via rowboat from Manapouri (This opens up a lot of ground)

This list right here is easily 3-4 weeks worth. Easily. And you can live out of DoC huts for the whole thing.

PS: Get a hold of Norway, he might have some good tips for you coming from over that way.