A tentative start date for two planned 1080 drops near Queenstown has been set.
Department of Conservation Wakatipu operations manager Geoff Owen said the operation, to kill the predators of native birds, would begin any time from September 5.
The drops, part of the Battle for Our Birds campaign, will close all walking tracks in the Dart, Routeburn and Caples areas and a section of the Glenorchy-Paradise road for up to 24 hours.
The first drop, to sow non-toxic pre-feed pellets, will be followed by a drop of toxic ones a week later.
Mr Owen emphasised that poison baits and animal carcasses were deadly to dogs and asked people to exercise extreme caution.
Deer repellent will be used across much of the treatment area, something the Deerstalkers' Association had petitioned for.
Notices have been sent out to the local community and those affected.
Ranger Chris Hankin said the timing of the operation could change.
``Doc needs to continually review a number of factors including rodent monitoring results, availability of resources and the weather before possible timing can be defined exactly.''
