Thread: Southern Nelson Lakes hunting ballot.

Here is a link for anyone interested in this ballot. Allows you to fly into areas which are usually non fly zones.
Click on the link and then click "Show Nelson Lakes helicopter information".
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-re.../?tab-id=27676
Some really cool country in there to be explored.

Thanks for the heads up @Shearer.
Anyone have any helicopter operators they recommend for flying into these blocks for a Nth island hunter?

Rob at Murchison Helitours is a good guy and is based closest to the blocks so should be competitive price wise. I think DoC give a list of operators involved with the ballot somewhere.

Yep got the list from Doc, he’s on there, I’ll give him a call, thanks @Shearer

Rob is by far the closest operator to those blocks and a real nice guy.
Only two operators were invited to participate last year which was contentious.

Originally Posted by Moutere

Rob is by far the closest operator to those blocks and a real nice guy.
Only two operators were invited to participate last year which was contentious.

Yeah. I think they opened it up for 'expressions of interest' to all operators this year. I even think Garden City were keen.

There’s 8 operators on the list that Doc has sent through

Originally Posted by Hayden

There’s 8 operators on the list that Doc has sent through

If you a NZDA member Murchison gives you 10% off

Has anyone here thats actually going had any prices cheaper than 2.5k for drop off/pickup??
With the prices I've been getting back from some of the operators it seems that if only one company had the go ahead and say had a chopper based closer to Matakitaki or wherever on the day to ferry the parties in/out it would of been more cost effective for everyone, instead of the different company's only having 2 or 3 parties to fly in each from there own bases/areas.

Originally Posted by tonyd

Has anyone here thats actually going had any prices cheaper than 2.5k for drop off/pickup??
With the prices I've been getting back from some of the operators it seems that if only one company had the go ahead and say had a chopper based closer to Matakitaki or wherever on the day to ferry the parties in/out it would of been more cost effective for everyone, instead of the different company's only having 2 or 3 parties to fly in each from there own bases/areas.

Choppers are expensive and fuel prices are up there and I'd guess that chopper quoted can fly 3 or 4 guys in so that's pretty standard pricing.

Yes backloading can be cheaper but relies on weather and parties timing lining up ie can't have a party skip the first 2 days of bad weather or last. I know James Scott has quoted me full price then if I can share a trip he halves the bill when he sends it. Or I saw one set prices cheaper but with set fly dates only .

Expensive trip if Waro hits it before the ballot like they did last year.

Originally Posted by Puddleduk

Expensive trip if Waro hits it before the ballot like they did last year.

Did they? Who was that?

We looked at it last year but it was to pricey for just the two of us, needs to be a week ballot so they can back load and discount the prices a bit, doesn’t have to be half but make it so everyone’s happy

Originally Posted by Shearer

Did they? Who was that?

I was told a Grey valley operator was in there taking the cream off before the ballot for an Otago based processor.

Originally Posted by Puddleduk

I was told a Grey valley operator was in there taking the cream off before the ballot for an Otago based processor.

Just like they do in a number off other areas's around the South Island - drive in the dark, park up the truck, shoot the shit out of all the easy ones, disregarding any gentleman agreements with the local landowners etc, usually 2 truckloads per trip, approx 240 carcases.