To hunt wild animals on public conservation land in Canterbury, you will require a permit from the Department of Conservation (DOC). If this is your first time hunting in Canterbury, you will have to register on the DOC Canterbury database.
Your permit will cover all open hunting blocks in the Canterbury Conservancy from Hanmer in the north, south as far as Twizel, and west to the main divide.
Read the latest Canterbury hunting news and updates.
Specific hunting information for the five areas can be found through the links below.
Recreational hunting for tahr and chamois is permitted throughout the year in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Mackenzie Country and Waitaki hunting blocks are well known for their tahr hunting potential. Chamois, wallabies, pigs and red deer are also found in the area.
The mid and south Canterbury area covers the portion of Canterbury between the Rakaia and Waitaki rivers, providing hunters with a wide range of amimals.
Recreational hunting in the North Canterbury & Arthur's Pass region targets chamois, deer and pigs. The region covers Canterbury from the coast to the Southern Alps, north and west of Christchurch.
News and updates for hunters from the Canterbury region.
Apply online for a hunting permit or renew.
Hunting in conservation areas brochure
Importing and exporting hunting trophies
NZ weather
Take a hunting survey from Lincoln University
Follow the Outdoor Safety Code: 1. Plan your trip 2. Tell someone 3. Be aware of the weather 4. Know your limits 5. Take sufficient supplies
Got feedback?
Email DOC's National Hunting Advisor
Safety