Thread: Bush Hunting - tips on identifying stalkable areas

Takes a awhile - I tried to see if there was a map of Ruahines showing vegetation types but could not find one - one easy way to see quickly a good feed area is nearly all of those species I mentioned are short i.e none grow higher than 3-4 meters whereas a stand of beech trees is 20meters plus - many such as Mahoe fushia will be in groves likely showing signs of heavy browsing underneath given no of deer in Ruahines - but I have shot deer and goats standing on hind legs to get at it - you will get ya eye in - get a good book of NZ natives or look up online - just a last tip if you find spring grass and there's fresh sign dont go tramping all over it - get of as soon as you see sign and go back towards evening - mind you with the no of deer around buggers will be hungry and could break all the rules simply to get a feed - not surprised now to see deer out mid day for quick scoff up (fallow normally do )

I have maps which I mark with date and time every time I see or shoot a deer or goat. I just keep it on paper but as the data has built up I manually filter it (i.e all records during winter) and transpose to an online map.
I could put the whole thing in Arc GIS but the original copies have sentimental value now.
Anyway I recommend keeping and maintaining your own data so that as it builds it will show you trends that can inform your approach at the start of your hunt.

I would have got up to that 900 line, either just below or above that shelf depending on bush and sidled along there following my nose with the signs and not the topo,a mistake made to much I believe is bush hunters follow topo to much as opposed to the sign in front of them.ill use topo t get to a spot I want to check out then away I go,and only really look at it again if I want to head to another area.

Originally Posted by Yesmate

I would have got up to that 900 line, either just below or above that shelf depending on bush and sidled along there following my nose with the signs and not the topo,a mistake made to much I believe is bush hunters follow topo to much as opposed to the sign in front of them.ill use topo t get to a spot I want to check out then away I go,and only really look at it again if I want to head to another area.

Same, would of started at that First creek heading up to the 900 mark then along to the next creek and follow what sign is about

Watch little creek river mouths flowing out of thick bush,creeks say 2 to 6 mtr wide with spring grass around amongst tussock grass.Like a super market for deer every year.Walk up these creeks a 100mtrs or so.You should start seeing sign at this time of the year,look around the sand pit areas,easy to see fresh sign.Same time as you start mowing your lawns in spring.Maybe in a few weeks or so.
Creeks are like a corridoor for deer,easeir to walk out inbetween thick bush.They think like us,easyist way is best for access to food.

Originally Posted by deer243

Same, would of started at that First creek heading up to the 900 mark then along to the next creek and follow what sign is about

Yeah same, absent of being on the ground and seeing what the sign and feed was doing I'd be sidling somewhere around the 900m mark. Be some nice scrubby sheltered guts through there I'm picking.

A low line like that at first light in the spring/early summer could produce a deer, but better odds up higher.