Tasman Pine Forest Upland Game Hunting

Fish & Game has been working with Tasman Pine Forests Ltd (TPFL) to provide upland game hunting in the Tasman area. 

Eight blocks have been formalised, most of which are catchment sized and have plenty of area for a day’s hunting. Most of these hunting blocks are within the fire affected area from the 2019 Pigeon Valley fire and have been re-planted in the last few years. 

Access to hunting blocks is walk-in only through forest entry gates, in most cases hunting blocks are within a few minutes’ walk from forest entry gates (see below for information about specific hunting blocks).  

Hunters must apply to Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game each time they wish to hunt a specific block.  

Permit Application and Rules

Game bird licence-holders must apply to Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game for a hunting block on a specific weekend day and can list up to three other hunters on the permit.   

Firearms licences, vehicle registration and dog registration numbers must be provided on the permit. 

Applicants will be issued with a permit and be provided with access information, forest rules, Health & Safety information, and a public notice sign (to be put up on entry and removed at the end of the hunt). 

Only one day of each weekend may be hunted for each block (this is in order to sufficiently rest the block). 

This date hunting takes place must be what is listed on the permit. 

Blocks are issued on a first in basis, and cannot be booked more than four weeks in advance.

Only one live application at a time, additional block bookings for future dates (within the four week period) are at the discretion of F&G staff, this is to ensure a fair allocation process.

Applications must be received no later than 4 pm on Thursday before the weekend. 

Rules:

• Hunters must obtain a permit from Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game and become familiar with access rules and Health & Safety requirements.

• Permits must be carried by hunters, and will on occasion be checked by forest security.

• A public notification sign must be picked up from Fish & Game and placed at forestry entry points on arrival, then removed at the end of the hunt and returned to Fish & Game.

• Hunters may hunt unclaimed blocks at the discretion of Fish & Game, however must obtain specific public notification signage for additional blocks and an additional permit.

• Hunters may shoot pests – hares, possums etc. No big game is to be targeted.

• Hunter returns must be provided to Fish & Game for each hunt in a timely manner.

• Hunters must adhere to Tasman Pine Forest Ltd Forest Rules and Special Conditions - Non-Vehicle Users.