Thread: Best time to start a day hunt....

Hi all

Is there a best time to start a day hunt?? I am asking because I went for a walk in the Ruahines last weekend. I started my walk at 10 O'clock and finished by 5 in the afternoon. Unfortunately I didn't see a thing. What time should I start and finish. How many Ks do yo guys walk in a normal day??? I am going for another day hunt this weekend. Any suggestions to increase my odds???

Can I drink straight from the streams without treating the water???

Thank you very much
Jojiyo

Jojiyo,try to be in your hunt area prior to dawn and or stay there until dusk (both if you can manage it). The number of K's walked will vary from area to area but whatever you do, try to keep the wind in your face and go slow as snail coming last in a race with a slug. Your ability to drink from creeks, streams and rivers will again vary dependent upon the area. If in doubt (and to be safe) sterilise your water.

Open country aim to be where you want to be as it gets light enough to see. In the evening don't leave till you can't see anything.
Bush anytime but i find 9-10am and 3-5pm animals are usually on the move in the bush.

The towns water supply comes straight out of the Ruahines

I'm paranoid about water, so I use those purification tablets but at a low dosage. It'll be fine but I'd rather spend a few cents as I can't think of much worse than gastro in the bush haha.

Hi Jo, for water purification in the bush i use a 'drinking straw' to drink direct from streams....Aquamira Frontier Emergency Water Filter....get it from

Aquamira Frontier Emergency Water Filter 2-Pack - 42101

as the guys have mentioned, get up at 'sparrows fart'......

I drink the water straight from the stream.

Originally Posted by Toby

I drink the water straight from the stream.

So do I Toby but there are some places that I have been to over the years where the use of sterilisation was prudent.

Hunt first and last light. I.e the first two hours of light and the last golden hour are ALWAYS best. You can get lucky and see deer in the middle of the day moving about but its not the norm.

I know a very successful hunter who doesn't leave camp till after 9am

Originally Posted by sako75

I know a very successful hunter who doesn't leave camp till after 9am

Sounds like me except for the successful part

Originally Posted by sako75

I know a very successful hunter who doesn't leave camp till after 9am

Thats fine for bush hunting

Believe it or not...the deer are there 24 hours a day.

Ruahine water is good as Jojio especially the southern end.I always take water with me as sometimes your not near a main creek.Are you just hunting the creeks? or climbing into the mid to top 3rd of the hills In the southern ruahines looking for open bush? usually just above the vines.creeks there are first thing in the morn then bush anytime and clearings early morn and late arvo.Me personally its at carpark at dark and start moving into the hills when your comfortable with the amount of light to move.Get comfy moving around in the dark before you hunt last light in the ruahines its can get nasty real quick if your not sussed on were you are.

Jase

Originally Posted by Neckshot

Ruahine water is good as Jojio especially the southern end.I always take water with me as sometimes your not near a main creek.Are you just hunting the creeks? or climbing into the mid to top 3rd of the hills In the southern ruahines looking for open bush? usually just above the vines.creeks there are first thing in the morn then bush anytime and clearings early morn and late arvo.Me personally its at carpark at dark and start moving into the hills when your comfortable with the amount of light to move.Get comfy moving around in the dark before you hunt last light in the ruahines its can get nasty real quick if your not sussed on were you are.

Jase

That's a good point. In the Ruahines (and most other places) as the evening draws in be very aware of your surroundings. Where you are, how you would get across a gully to a shot deer, the route for your way out etc. Map it all in your head. Think about time frames too.
For evening hunting, a GPS with map software is invaluable. Back it up with a compass for sure, but the GPS will become your best friend. They are reliable now and almost fail safe. Spare batteries and a compass, and you are set.

Over the years you will build up a marvellous log of waypoints that will include hot spots, campsites and various info that will enable you to move around with confidence and get a lot more deer. I don't use the tracking function so much...that's a bit too techo for me.