Thread: Wapiti Ballot - Success?

When do you have to apply to get in the draw?

Looking forward to all these build ups and trip reports

I'm curious about the ballots. If you are lucky enough to get drawn for a particular period then you just drop everything and go? How do you get access? For those that have gone before how long did you go for, and what was your total cost? I have been wondering for a while and Keen to get more info

We missed out. But only chose the good blocks for 1st and 2nd periods so much lower chance of getting a block.
@CamFlatt - visit fwf.net.nz

Ballots for the bugle period have now been drawn so you have to wait to next year. You get notified around now of the results, that gives you a few months to arrange time off and plan. Every block is different, they're all accessed differently and that obviously makes the associated costs different. I've had trips into Fiordland that have cost less than $400, and some as much as $2000. Its a unique opportunity t get a block during the bugle, so generally I'd suggest going in for the entire time you've got the block for. We've had to pull pin twice, once because a mate got very ill, and another time we only went in for a couple of days because the weather was so bad we were completely wasting our time.

Simon Gibson wrote a good book on the blocks. And google is your friend for info on forums or videos on YouTube etc.

If you want to hear a wapiti bugling, try to get a ballot block. If you just want a chance to actually see one and or shoot one (provided it's a decent animal) then I would say you would be better off going in before the ballot period when the weather is better and bulls are still grouped up

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

If you want to hear a wapiti bugling, try to get a ballot block. If you just want a chance to actually see one and or shoot one (provided it's a decent animal) then I would say you would be better off going in before the ballot period when the weather is better and bulls are still grouped up

i think theyve pulled the pin on going in before the ballot hunt,,you wont be able to get a hunting permit for the area until after the ballots finished( i tink)

Only closed mid feb to end of April


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I reckon they should shut the hunting up in there for a few years.
Same as the Glennorky whitetail.

There are no pure waps left. Should let what is left have a chance to mature.

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They should, but never would


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Originally Posted by superdiver

He didn't last year. Seems like he gets it most times though haha

He gets one for a reason. Anyone else can get one as consistently as he does, providing they are willing to follow the method. Most dont.

Originally Posted by Tribrit

He gets one for a reason. Anyone else can get one as consistently as he does, providing they are willing to follow the method. Most dont.

Care to elaborate? I have missed 3 now and would love to know how to have a little success!

Originally Posted by LMcNab

Care to elaborate? I have missed 3 now and would love to know how to have a little success!

Ok. Here's the "Duley Method" as I understand it.

Step 1: Enter the ballot, like everyone else.

If he draws a block, job done.

If not, onto Step 2.

Step 2: Go to Te Anau anyway, with hunting gear but having not drawn a block (he is usually a guest speaker at the briefing anyway).

Step 3: Speak to Wapiti Foundation organizers and pickup any block whose party failed to turn up to briefing (its compulsory to attend briefing). Many parties fail to show up, once they realise how steep the place is, time off work, money.. or whatever.

Step 4: Quickly gather relevant maps and arrange transport to block.

Step 5: Get accused of "rigging" a ballot that is conducted under police observation.

As told to me by their former cameraman.

Couldn't care less how the Duleys get a ballot block. Rather have them getting a block and hunting it ethically, than others that won't.

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Only way they'll ever make any progress in there if they want any kind of hope of strengthening the Wap bloodlines is to do as @R93 suggested and close it off to hunting for a few years, and then introduce a Tag system like in the states that allows you to shoot only an animal of a certain class and age. My opinion, based on photos of even "the best" wap bloodlines in there, is that they're pretty far gone

More regulation and more rules.

Stick them fair up your bum.

It should be free for all, and so should everything else.