Thread: Light River Fiordland

Hey team, who has been here and what’s the feedback? It’s a long way to travel and a lot of money for a block that might not really have odds of producing. We have it second period at this stage.

I’ve watched the two or three vids on youtube but they were pretty old and didn’t say much. Looks like animal numbers are good but the odds of a good stag/bull not so good. Have a few days to accept or decline.

Still waiting on the year where I can finally explore a core block!

Appreciate any insights.

We drew charles last year and decided to decline for the same reasons. With light river you are next to doc land so you have the option to hunt that after your period ends and huts to get to if the weather turns on you i suppose

I went in there last year. We were shown pictures of a big old 12 that was shot in there 2023, and I saw a young fella that was probably mid 30 inches, but the issue we had is we were first period and they weren't roaring.
I enjoyed the block, it's still fiordland, so it's pretty epic, but if your coming all the way from the north island and your main motivation is a massive Wap bull, it's probably marginal.

There's more big deer in there than there are at home on the couch

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

There's more big deer in there than there are at home on the couch

Helpful. Being north island based, and the goal of Fiordland Wapiti being a big Wapiti Bull - there are lots of bucket list alternatives that I could spend the time and money on instead. I’ve done Fiordland so don’t need the Fiordland experience just for the sake of it. The couch is certainly not where I like to hangout so cheers for the sarcasm.

Why choose that block in your options in the first place? Or was it a mate who chose for you?

Originally Posted by Friwi

Why choose that block in your options in the first place? Or was it a mate who chose for you?

Yea mates entry but right down at the bottom of the list from what I understand as we don’t bother entering for a lot of the fringe blocks. Probably made it in there as a 50/50 one we would contemplate if it got drawn - hence the situation. I love Fiordland but like I say to a lot of people, there is far too much cool shit to do in this world and not enough time or money for it all. For example, being based in the North Island I’ve not yet done a Canterbury or Otago roar trip - where as I have done roar trips to Fiordland (alas not yet a decent or core Wap block).

Cheers for the feedback Matto and LMcNab.

Personally I wouldn’t bother too much money for an average place to hunt, much like any 4th period block…

I have also drawn the Light River block.
Does anyone have any info on the best way to get access? Apparently there is no helicopter access so assume you have to get dropped somewhere and walk...

Originally Posted by Giveitago2

I have also drawn the Light River block.
Does anyone have any info on the best way to get access? Apparently there is no helicopter access so assume you have to get dropped somewhere and walk...

Doesn’t sound right. You can almost certainly get dropped in by a helo. Few vids on youtube of this occurring.

Originally Posted by Giveitago2

I have also drawn the Light River block.
Does anyone have any info on the best way to get access? Apparently there is no helicopter access so assume you have to get dropped somewhere and walk...

Being a wilderness area no helicopter access normally but if you are the holder of a ballot you can access via helicopter, designated landing zones though same as the Tahr ballot

light river is out of the wilderness area so you can get dropped off in a lot of different spots in there. Milford is a bit closer for there so a bit cheaper.

Is boating in from Milford Sound a feasible option? Have a 5.5 Surtees HT that I could drag down but unsure on what that typical sea state etc is like. Typical west coast I imagine

southerland sound is not like the others. it is a shallow very tidal sound with massive sand bars everywhere at low tide. you could get up there , and park in the river at high tide, but i dont think i would want to do it that way. we choppered in an inflatable which was handy .

Originally Posted by stagstalker

Is boating in from Milford Sound a feasible option? Have a 5.5 Surtees HT that I could drag down but unsure on what that typical sea state etc is like. Typical west coast I imagine

You'd want a good forecast and plenty of spare fuel with a boat of that size. We went one fiord further in our Stabi 2500 (7.6m) and had a whale of a time, but the run home was a white knuckle affair through a good old fashioned southern ocean swell... https://youtu.be/6ShKGMRGP2Q