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CENTRAL OTAGO
Special
Feature: Outstanding fallow trophies at two locations
The glacial origins of ‘Central’ are obvious when you
first view the enormous round-top mountain ranges draped in
golden brown tussock grasses.
Breathtakingly beautiful alpine lakes, Wakatipu, Wanaka and
Hawea, are encompassed by 2000 metre ranges like Hawkdun, St
Bathans, Dunstan, Pisa, Old Man and Lammermoor.
This Big Sky Country with its tussock tops and crystal clear, dry
air is made for red deer, which revel in the freedom of open
spaces. These deer range far and wide over the tussock country
dodging helicopter shooters, and some fine trophy animals are
taken each year. The best hunting is in the lakes district and
the Clutha and Taieri river catchments.
Fallow deer are well established in two herds, which regularly
produce outstanding trophies. The Wakatipu herd occupies the area
around the Dart and Rees rivers and also the Recreational Hunting
Area in the Caples and Greenstone valleys. The other substantial
herd is in the Blue Mountains above the Clutha River. These herds
have survived through sheer cunning and the clever use of sparse
cover. Unlike red deer, a disturbed fallow does not stop dead in
their tracks in response to the hunter’s shout or whistle -
they resolutely vanish out of sight.
Whitetail deer are also present in these ‘happy hunting
grounds’ with a small population just surviving in the
Dart/Rees delta area and on the slopes of Mt Earnslaw. Chamois
thrive on the high peaks above the Dart and Rees rivers and along
the Alps.
Wild pigs exist in low numbers inland from Dunedin and in the
Lammerlaw Range. Goats are sparsely distributed with herds in the
Old Woman Range and the Clutha gorges.
Mallard, grey, shoveler ducks and Paradise shelducks are common
in the Taieri wetlands, hydro dams and the Clutha River
catchment. Canada geese and black swans are also found in good
numbers on the numerous Central Otago lakes. Pheasant are common
with a defined hunting preserve at Bendigo, near Lake Dunstan.
Chukar are plentiful in the Ida Valley and Hawkdun range and
quail are common throughout the region.
Helicopter transport to backcountry hunting blocks and guided
hunting for red deer, thar and chamois is available at Wanaka and
a hunting park is based at Queenstown. Guided fair chase hunting
for red deer, thar, chamois, wild pig, goat and game birds can be
arranged at Ranfurly, Milton and Balclutha.
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