The Department of Conservation (Doc) will introduce an application fee for hunting during balloted periods in Southland, but will not follow suit in Otago.
From September 1, all hunting applications in the Blue Mountains recreational hunting area between February and November, and in the Leithen Bush Scenic Reserve and Waikaia Forest conservation area during the roar period of March and April, will incur an $11.50 fee.
The fee has been set to cover the administrative workload required to manage the ballot, which Doc says has grown significantly in the past few years.
Hunting in open areas and outside the ballot period will remain free.
Doc Murihiku biodiversity ranger Colin Bishop said the department had met hunting groups to ensure they were aware of the charge and its implications on hunting. The three areas were the only ones administered by Doc in Southland and Fiordland subject to ballot charges.
Mr Bishop said hunters enjoyed the exclusive experience offered by the balloted system and there was a strong demand to keep it in place.
However, acting Otago conservator Ken Stewart said they were not considering imposing a similar charge in Otago.
The Otago conservancy features 16 hunting areas, with only two featuring a balloting system.
Forty-five blocks are balloted near Wanaka during the red deer roar and five in the Greenstone/Caples recreational hunting area during the fallow deer roar period from April 1 to September 30.
Doc Murihiku is introducing a 20-application concession for $115 for hunters who pick up unballoted weekday blocks. The concession will only be available for weekdays outside of the roar period (mid-April to mid-May), and cannot be used to enter the ballot.
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