As part of the Ruahine Deer Plan process a survey was conducted via the Game Animal Council with the link to the survey available to all those seeking permits for the Ruahine Forest Park.

The survey though not a huge sample set has some interesting information it.

Ruahine 2017 Recreational Hunter survey results.pdf

At a recent meeting of the Deer Plan working group it was also estimated from the permit data and DoC land area totals that the Ruahines represents around 1% of the total DoC controlled estate but attracts permit applications from around 8% of all those who seek permits. So the area is very significant to hunters.