Thread: After Stewart Island Information

Hey guys

I have my first trip to stewart island booked for 12-21 march into cavalier block
Looking for any info on the block (if you feel like sharing it )
I know there is paua down the end gut at low tide etc
any areas to stay clear of? or any areas that are really nice to stalk through?
Whats the hut like?

Feel free to Message the info

Thanks in advance

@223nut may be able to provide some local info.

Flying in and out of the block? There is a tree stand in there about 10mins inland from the hut.... I found gps co ords in the hut book (doubt that books still there as this was about 8 years ago)

Check the tides as walking along the beach at high tide sucks....

Originally Posted by 223nut

Flying in and out of the block? There is a tree stand in there about 10mins inland from the hut.... I found gps co ords in the hut book (doubt that books still there as this was about 8 years ago)

Check the tides as walking along the beach at high tide sucks....

yep flying in and out

Originally Posted by burtonator

yep flying in and out

Presumably from invercargill not Oban? unlikely to see ya then

Originally Posted by 223nut

Presumably from invercargill not Oban? unlikely to see ya then

Yea mate from invercargill

Good block, 30yrs since I hunted it so my memory is a bit faded. Pretty sure the Red Stag Timber lads hunted it in one of their earlier series.

Gidday. We had this block in late May last year. Heaps of deer sign but the little buggers had gone to their winter quarters and we weren't good enough bush hunters to get one. In March they should still be out and about and the hunting in the sand dunes is a lot easier. The hut is not quite weathertight at one end (chose your bunk carefully if there are 4 of you!!) The paua patch in the gut is often defended by a sea lion (who also eats fish from nets) and you'll need to be a good bit braver and fiercer than 4 old Southland farmers to chase him away. Hugely enjoyable nonetheless!!

Originally Posted by Tentman

Gidday. We had this block in late May last year. Heaps of deer sign but the little buggers had gone to their winter quarters and we weren't good enough bush hunters to get one. In March they should still be out and about and the hunting in the sand dunes is a lot easier. The hut is not quite weathertight at one end (chose your bunk carefully if there are 4 of you!!) The paua patch in the gut is often defended by a sea lion (who also eats fish from nets) and you'll need to be a good bit braver and fiercer than 4 old Southland farmers to chase him away. Hugely enjoyable nonetheless!!

Awesome, here's hoping we can bag one
haha 4 southland famers sound better than nelson, sparkies, painters and plasterers but we will give it a shot!!!

We have hunted it a few times over the years as we normally do at least 2 trips down each year before the Chyna Flu SNAFU.IMO the best thig first timers can do is give the dunes a good work over if plenty of sign pick a spot over looking a well trafficked area,also do not over look the fact if the are grazing on salty sand dune plants ,they will be heading for a drink of fresh water on the regular.A lot of deer have been taken within a mile at most from the hut ,so just don't go power walking away to spots unknown.

Like l say we have hunted down there for over a decade now ,we concentrate n the White Tail as have plenty of access to Red Deer around home, l always re sight my rifle for a closer zero for a point & shoot out to 200 as in the scrub a lot of the time it is swing & shoot as the little buggers bust through the hip high ferny/scrubby gullies.The hunting down there is also where a suppressor earns its coin as many times l have a shot a deer in the dunes or gullies & the sound being hidden by the wind off the beach or swallowed by the fern choked gully meaning another tasty little bugger was also taken a short distance away.

Just a word of caution a few years ago a bunch of whales beached themselves a few months before we went down ,we are all keen experienced divers & one of the guys had a close encounter with one of the biggest White Pointers he had ever seen & that included cage diving in South Africa.Make sure you take a good torch as watching the Kiwis on the beach under a clear starry skies is a memory that sticks with you & one of the reason l like cavalier block hunts so much.Good Luck with the trip you will have a ball

Originally Posted by bunji

We have hunted it a few times over the years as we normally do at least 2 trips down each year before the Chyna Flu SNAFU.IMO the best thig first timers can do is give the dunes a good work over if plenty of sign pick a spot over looking a well trafficked area,also do not over look the fact if the are grazing on salty sand dune plants ,they will be heading for a drink of fresh water on the regular.A lot of deer have been taken within a mile at most from the hut ,so just don't go power walking away to spots unknown.

Like l say we have hunted down there for over a decade now ,we concentrate n the White Tail as have plenty of access to Red Deer around home, l always re sight my rifle for a closer zero for a point & shoot out to 200 as in the scrub a lot of the time it is swing & shoot as the little buggers bust through the hip high ferny/scrubby gullies.The hunting down there is also where a suppressor earns its coin as many times l have a shot a deer in the dunes or gullies & the sound being hidden by the wind off the beach or swallowed by the fern choked gully meaning another tasty little bugger was also taken a short distance away.

Just a word of caution a few years ago a bunch of whales beached themselves a few months before we went down ,we are all keen experienced divers & one of the guys had a close encounter with one of the biggest White Pointers he had ever seen & that included cage diving in South Africa.Make sure you take a good torch as watching the Kiwis on the beach under a clear starry skies is a memory that sticks with you & one of the reason l like cavalier block hunts so much.Good Luck with the trip you will have a ball

Cheers for the the info mate, and here's hoping that no whales beach them selves any time soon then!!
Anyone catch blue cod down the gut area?

We have speared a few ,we never bothered taking rods into the hut ,like most others we were happy with just mucking around diving on the paua patch.Also forgot to mention as a lot of the hunting is up close a good face veil while you are over watching a spot is a winner ,l have a old camo Browning duck hunting cap with built in drop down veil ,l have used for years just on hunts down there & making sure you have any rattle points taped up,fixed on your gear.

Also if you have not taken a White Tail before you will regret not taking the skin ,they make a beautiful rug so make sure you knives etc are up for it,also meant to add you are heading in at a pretty good time with the weather they have been having for getting a nice eater so make sure you are geared for looking after the meat properly as well.Try to grab the front seat & have the camera ready for some great shots as you come in to land ,it is a beautiful bit of the world we are lucky to have relatively easy access to.

Beware the sandflies if sitting and waiting..... long sleeves and pants

Originally Posted by 223nut

Beware the sandflies if sitting and waiting..... long sleeves and pants

And mittens/gloves.
Plus one of those American turkey shooter face masks - that way you’re well hidden and as sandfly proof as you’re ever going to be.

Get your hands on the John Delury book , its a good read and Cavalier is one of his favorite blocks , I haven't been to the Island for 30yrs myself but going this May as well .