Wapiti River Ballot Block

G'day guys, now it's that time of year on the forum where everyone starts asking for advice on the Wapiti blocks, so I may as well go first!
We have Wapiti River first period, I'm interested to know any info on access, I know we could could choppered into the South end of the block as it's outside the wilderness area but I'm thinking of taking my boat up to the end of north west arm/middle fiord with a dinghy strapped across the back, ad walking the dinghy over into lake Hankinson, using the dinghy to take gear up to the Hankinson Hut and fly camping from there. Am I on the right track? Will this be Do-able? Will probably hunt the South west of the block for the first few days before heading up into the north western part of the block to hunt the divide bordering the Edith River block. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

G'day guys, now it's that time of year on the forum where everyone starts asking for advice on the Wapiti blocks, so I may as well go first!
We have Wapiti River first period, I'm interested to know any info on access, I know we could could choppered into the South end of the block as it's outside the wilderness area but I'm thinking of taking my boat up to the end of north west arm/middle fiord with a dinghy strapped across the back, ad walking the dinghy over into lake Hankinson, using the dinghy to take gear up to the Hankinson Hut and fly camping from there. Am I on the right track? Will this be Do-able? Will probably hunt the South west of the block for the first few days before heading up into the north western part of the block to hunt the divide bordering the Edith River block. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

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I had it first period last year. you can give a ring one night if you want.

That would be awesome mate. Could you please pm your number? Cheers

I also have this block but 2nd period. Would be keen to chat about your plans further down the track. Are you sharing with another party?

Perrazi, PM your number and will give you a ring

Hi There
I'm new to this Forum. My name is Stu Fraser, I've hunted most my life with the majority of it being in the central N.I.
We also have Wapiti River 1st period (we are a party of 4). Keen to talk to you and hatch a plan so we can all enjoy the block together without getting in each others way.
We have never had Wapiti River before but I have been in the Wild Natives, Lugar Burn and Mid Burn in recent years if anyone wants some info.
Thanks

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Originally Posted by Rumata

Hi There
I'm new to this Forum. My name is Stu Fraser, I've hunted most my life with the majority of it being in the central N.I.
We also have Wapiti River 1st period (we are a party of 4). Keen to talk to you and hatch a plan so we can all enjoy the block together without getting in each others way.
We have never had Wapiti River before but I have been in the Wild Natives, Lugar Burn and Mid Burn in recent years if anyone wants some info.
Thanks

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Pm sent. Have been to wapiti river and have mid burn this time

Others will tell you I'm sure but there is a decent walking track right up the edge of Wapiti river to Lake Sutherland. This is a better camp site than the Lake Thompson Hut, even though you'd be tenting. Rum Gully and Massacre creek will give you good bush hunting and access to the tops, as will the head of Wapiti river itself. Be prepared to be wet - we had 8 days of rain and 2 fine

Wont be that easy getting a dinghy over to Lake Hankinson.
We hired one from the water taxi bloke who had a boatshed over there.
Just carried over an outboard on a spare packframe.

Good luck Ryan hope it goes better than last time:)

Hey guys we have that block 3rd period so it would be much appreciated if you didn't shoot any big bulls at all hahahaha . Good luck and hopefully we can all have a great time in there . Looks like gnarly steep stuff I better start training .

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Originally Posted by Sideshow

Good luck Ryan hope it goes better than last time:)

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Ryan's post is over 6 years old!

Bugger me, it is to. Oh well, bit of info for anyone heading in there next year

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Originally Posted by Sideshow

Good luck Ryan hope it goes better than last time:)

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This post is from 2015 lol, and yea... It didn't go too well and ended with a helicopter ride to the medical centre then surgery haha

so you didn't get that wet after all :)

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Originally Posted by Bos

so you didn't get that wet after all :)

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Oh we got wet alright, trudged all the way up to Henry saddle the first day, which on the map looks like a nice wee stroll along a marked track but in reality is just bush bashing through a swamp for hours and hours. Climbed up to the saddle with the intention of siddling around the big head basin and then making our way along the tops above the true right of Wapiti river but on a short downhill section the next morning my knee decided to fold in a direction knees are not supposed to fold

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Originally Posted by Cigar

Ryan's post is over 6 years old!

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Shit it is too I didn't even notice that hahaha

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Hi all,
Understand this thread is a bit old, but there's not alot on forums about this block.

So, how have you all gained access to this block? We have drawn for third period 2024. Is it accessible by foot alone?

Any help or advise is much appreciated.

Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Wapitiriver

Hi all,
Understand this thread is a bit old, but there's not alot on forums about this block.

So, how have you all gained access to this block? We have drawn for third period 2024. Is it accessible by foot alone?

Any help or advise is much appreciated.

Thanks.

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You don't get a block like that very often, save your legs and valuable hunting time and get a helicopter.

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Originally Posted by Puddleduk

You don't get a block like that very often, save your legs and valuable hunting time and get a helicopter.

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What he says. Also you need to tell us if the block getting split, makes a big difference on getting advice, it's a primo area

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Originally Posted by SmokeyJason

What he says. Also you need to tell us if the block getting split, makes a big difference on getting advice, it's a primo area

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Yep

Head to lake Sutherland and above would be my advice after being in twice and covering most of the block.

Big walk from lake Te Anau….

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Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

Head to lake Sutherland and above would be my advice after being in twice and covering most of the block.

Big walk from lake Te Anau….

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And how long did it take to head of lake, I know some people flounder around anything up to 8hrs. Bet you the second time was easier. Personally I would just hunt the bottom of the valleys.

Sorry, could of been clearer. Obviously boat to Prospectors Bay and its going foward from there. From what we've found so far we can either heli in or get boats all the way to hankinson hut and walk from there.

Lake Thompson hut to top of lake Sutherland 6-8hrs.

Same again to get onto tops.

I would and have flown to lake thompson hut

I dropped a party off there last year. Dropped them at prospectors bay and they took packrafts across Hankinson and then walked up to lake Thomson Hut