Hi all
Anybody know if the Nelson lakes blocks are balloted this year? Ie around the matakitaki..
Cheers
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Hi all
Anybody know if the Nelson lakes blocks are balloted this year? Ie around the matakitaki..
Cheers
Not happening this year. Unfortunately there wasn't enough uptake in previous ballots to make it worth continuing.
Yes. It is public access up the valley but the local land owner makes it difficult.
Thanks heaps, just want to make sure if I climb into the tops that I won’t be stomping on someone’s ballot..
Someone doesn't get sole use of that area from my understanding. It is only the ability to land there in a helicopter. Anyone can still walk into and hunt those ballots.
Correct. Same as the Tahr ballots.Quote:
Originally Posted by 300wsm for life
Several people pulled out last time due to the WARO activity in the time leading up to this kicking in.
WARO have always been allowed in that area but very rearly shoot it as it isn't worth it to them. There are plenty of animals in there, hence DoC trying to encourage recreational hunters in there.
Didn't know that thanks @Shearer, off to rob a bank for the helicopter cost.
Easier to steal a chopperQuote:
Originally Posted by Happy Jack
Yes but the kidnap charge would be too much since I can't fly one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharki
It's been done beforeQuote:
Originally Posted by Sharki
One thing that I think would help with the success of any future ballots would be to encourage the heli operators to fly backloads.Quote:
Originally Posted by gimp
It was a pricey flight into some of those blocks without the option of a one party in/one party out scenario in the past.
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If your heading up the west branch look up the thread on here from a few years ago called 'block 5' it may be of interest to you [emoji106]Quote:
Originally Posted by Jus
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Agreed, we looked at it but it was just to expensiveQuote:
Originally Posted by kukuwai
Nelson and Blenheim NZDA branches are running a ballot same area..maximum 40 hunters.
Dates are 16-19 May with a backup weather contingency of 23-26 May. Plan is early morning departure from heli site on the Thurs and mid-afternoon return on the Sun.
Dates are 16-19 May with a backup weather contingency of 23-26 May. Plan is early morning departure from heli site on the Thurs and mid-afternoon return on the Sun.
Is that from Mt Ella station? If it is, it will make the whole thing a lot more affordable.
This is what the email said....Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
'We will be using a Squirrel B3 from Murchison Helicopters to fly groups from a site on either Matakitaki or Mt Ella Station.'
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Excellent.
Bugger if only I was a member of NZDA
Not hard to join.Quote:
Originally Posted by 300wsm for life
For reasons I won't get into, I will pass on membership.
If only it was on my month off.
Im in....block confirmation email tonight....anyone else going ?? [emoji106]
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Hey hello, :-)
In 2026 Matakitaki will see us for some 15nish days. Want to go the far end.
To save some Energy i thought about getting a lift in the first part to Downies hut eg by someone with a Quad or a Pickup Truck.
Idea came up as i saw some wheel tracks in google earth.
But thats digital knowledge ...
pushing some Questions
So, is it allowed to Drive Up to Downies hut?
And are there some local Guys, eg Farmers, close by who May be happy to provide the lift?
Greatfull for some advice :-)
Yes, you can drive to Downies but it is dependent on the river level at the time.
Hey 👋 that was quick :-)
Many thanks for the info!
May I send you a direct message?
Yes, going in on control shoot again this year. And from memory there's a sign just up the road from the fert bin/helicopter LZ that says no vehicle access to general public, could be wrong though Shearer.
Also many thanks to you!
anyhow we prepare to walk in :-)
thought its not going to be a bad surprice if they wont let us drive in. if we can drive in, we still need to find somebody whos giving us a lift :-)
:-)
@PinaDD. Contact Rob at Murchison Heli-tours. He should be able to give you info/contact details of local land owner regarding access. If walking in it’s a reasonably easy approximately 16 km walk into Downie hut.
VC drove in there not that long ago. @veitmancam.
I had a chat at the range recently with the guy who organized the management hunts up there. Was quite interesting but sadly my budget just doesn't stretch to helicopter rides.
He does a good job, its well organized.
Great country [emoji106]
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Drive in access is usually not granted except for club groups at suitable river levels etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
It is or was(I havent been there for a while) possible to quadbike the walking track on the other side (same side as the hut) up to McKellar stream and possibly all the way to the hut if the river is passable or Mckeller stream is passable.
And I will miss out yet again this year.....:oh noes:
Quad bike access was pretty decent when I last went up, Granted that was more than a couple of years ago. March 2021. As previously mentioned, River levels are important if riding up.
It might be time to plan another trip.
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