Thread: Advice for Northland goat hunter going after Kaweka sika

As per title, trip coming up soon. I'm pretty clueless! If conditions are right, happy shooting to 200m, but that's about it. Any words of wisdom appreciated.

What road end are you going to? do you have a sika caller?

Back Ridge Bivouac by chopper. Yes, have a caller.

Take a fly rod. My son saw a mob of 4 on Saturday. Filming them with IPHone. Then left. Went back this morning at first light. Job done.

SLOW DOWN.......keep wind in your face,SLOW DOWN...... look carefully while slowly stalking....slow down...go quietly and finally slow down.
90% of the battle is seeing them first,if you moving quickly they will see you first...if you slowly moving along/mouseing along,you can tip the scales in your favour.

Use binos for scanning even in the bush.

Originally Posted by MB

Back Ridge Bivouac by chopper. Yes, have a caller.

You will need to get up reasonably high on a nice spur and use the caller, Wait quietly and keep in mind that they don't always roar back and can come in quietly and sometimes circle round to cut your wind.

They should be calling though so are easy to find

Bit of a mix of country there , some open and plenty of bush. Should be mostly bush hunting now and they should be roaring well. Get the wind in your favour and slowly work the country , use the caller to locate a stag then plan your attack. It will be exciting stuff so enjoy and let us know how you get on when back.

Hey mate have spent a roar or two in that area if you want some info flick me a message happy to pass on some info ��

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/irwin-str...e-8oz_p0292974
Get your self a bottle like that. That will be the best 6$ you ever spend. Mine is wrapped up in black tape. Yellow chalk is better , less permanent if it blows back towards you.

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'm off to Bunnings tomorrow, cheers Friwi. Spud, I'll send a PM. Mooseman, that's good, never thought I'd say it, but think I'd be happier in the bush!

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

The more dominant stags won't be higher up on the ridges. They will be lower down on the terraces and gully heads with a bit of water near by. Often their core territory will be on a little ridge where two or three little gullies converge. Those areas often have swirling wind so can be quite difficult to approach without getting busted.

Interesting. Goes against everything I was ever told but I trust yah!

I do it different, I use a caller that imitates hinds or fawns...stags must think WTF is that and come for a nosey...welcome to take it with you for a trip...scored me a few animals over the years, but never anything flash in the way of a stag.

From what I've experienced, its best to have a mate operating the caller and staying put while you sneak in on them as they often roar but don't move.

Sika are incredible at breaking a hunters spirit.

Staking out a good scrape is another good tactic.

A simple bic lighter is good for telling wind direction, just look at the flame.

Makes too much noise when you are up close. Talking bowhunting distances here.