Best time to start a day hunt....

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31-01-2014, 12:08 PM
Jojiyo

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
31-01-2014, 12:20 PM
Rushy

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.
31-01-2014, 12:27 PM
veitnamcam

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.
31-01-2014, 12:27 PM
Dundee

The towns water supply comes straight out of the Ruahines
31-01-2014, 12:37 PM
MattyP

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.
31-01-2014, 01:17 PM
Scouser

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'......
31-01-2014, 01:21 PM
Toby

I drink the water straight from the stream.
31-01-2014, 01:25 PM
Rushy

Quote:

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.
31-01-2014, 01:32 PM
Nathan F

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.
31-01-2014, 01:51 PM
sako75

I know a very successful hunter who doesn't leave camp till after 9am
31-01-2014, 01:55 PM
Toby

Quote:

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
31-01-2014, 02:23 PM
Nathan F

Quote:

Originally Posted by sako75

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

Thats fine for bush hunting
31-01-2014, 02:41 PM
Spook

Believe it or not...the deer are there 24 hours a day.
31-01-2014, 02:47 PM
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
31-01-2014, 03:12 PM
Tahr

Quote:

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.
31-01-2014, 03:16 PM
Neckshot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahr

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.

Agree.I don't know about yourself Tahr but ive had one or two real hard falls from walking into the wrong spot and that's only in 3 to 4 years hunting here.
31-01-2014, 03:23 PM
Tahr

I think you get smarter over time. You only need to get buggered up in the dark a few times, or have a hard fall to learn really quickly.
Successful hunters are fast learners, and are closely in touch with the environment.

Or they simply pay to hunt private land :o
31-01-2014, 03:32 PM
Neckshot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahr

I think you get smarter over time. You only need to get buggered up in the dark a few times, or have a hard fall to learn really quickly.
Successful hunters are fast learners, and are closely in touch with the environment.

Or they simply pay to hunt private land :o

Ba ha ah ah aha ha ah laugh me moobs off
31-01-2014, 05:29 PM
Jojiyo

I dont have any intention to pay for my hunting. :cool:

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31-01-2014, 05:31 PM
Dreamer

3 Attachment(s)

I was up at 03:30 this morning for a hunt and you get to see some pretty cool sight's when you make the effort Attachment 19732 and I was in position at 07:00 to see 3 deer this morning a hind and fawn, both where safe plus this yearling hind Attachment 19733 Attachment 19734
Watched all 3 for about 30mins or so before I started to close the gap on the yearling, but by the time I got close enough for the .223 the misty fog had swallowed her up. Still very enjoyable.
31-01-2014, 05:39 PM
Jojiyo

Quote:

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

I am going to go find some open bush. Last time I went to thick bush. Visibility was very poor. I could not see anything past 10 metres.
When you ho uphill do we go all the way up to the ridges or walk arould the hill half way or something through?

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31-01-2014, 05:59 PM
308

Either go to your local library or scour the secondhand book shops and get your hands on a copy of Hunting Red Deer in NZ by Lentle & Saxton

Read it, then read it again
31-01-2014, 06:11 PM
Neckshot

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jojiyo

I am going to go find some open bush. Last time I went to thick bush. Visibility was very poor. I could not see anything past 10 metres.
When you ho uphill do we go all the way up to the ridges or walk arould the hill half way or something through?

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I'll show you soon mate

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10-02-2014, 06:05 PM
thedrunkfish

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neckshot

Agree.I don't know about yourself Tahr but ive had one or two real hard falls from walking into the wrong spot and that's only in 3 to 4 years hunting here.

@Jojiyo had a couple of beauties before first light on sunday, those pohangina river slimy rocks will do that to ya
10-02-2014, 09:19 PM
Jojiyo

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedrunkfish

@Jojiyo had a couple of beauties before first light on sunday, those pohangina river slimy rocks will do that to ya

Thanks @thedrunkfish for taking me for the hunt :D. We reached the spot by 6 O' clock. It was an amazing experience being there at the first light, looking for a deer, wonderful. Had tasted real hunting :). In the excitement I never noticed a 1 inch long split on my palm until I got back home. I have some more bruises here and there too :oh noes:. I am ready for another go.....

Lesson learned
1) My day pack is not waterproof. If I don't put rain cover everything inside is gonna get wet :oh noes:
2)Rocks can be really slippery during rain.
3)A good pair of boots can protect your ankle.
4)If you are on a day hunt start early.
10-02-2014, 09:41 PM
TJM

Morning up to about ten, bush you can get lucky during the day but the evening is good except as mentioned above remember it gets dark quickly in the bush!! Ive started using a GPS over the last year and it hasn't let me down yet ( still have the good old compass in the pack though)
Most of the deer Ive seen mid day were either sleeping and I spooked them or silly spikers still feeding in early summer.
Take a while to get your 1st deer but once you have the confidence grows. No doubt about it tops looking into gullys early morn and late evening will produce in summer.

Good luck mate.