Thread: East coast backup plan

Looking at doing a 2 week walk in and out hunt on the West coast for tahr/chamois in late April to mid May.

Any suggestions for an East coast hunt as a backup in the event that the west side is a washout with weather?

One year this happened and my mate and I walked into Whale and Bush streams in the Ben Ohau.

Somewhere that would be suitable for a 2 week backpack trip. No 4x4 since the rental car will be a little car.

Hopefully the weather gods allow access to the west but if they don't it will be good to have a plan B.

Check out JE Wilds latest vid on YouTube, he has a heli operator in Methven he uses for that very reason

Cheers, but I don't want to use a chopper. Going solo is already expensive enough without sharing costs like hire car. Usually hunt with a mate but he can't make it.

the options are endless if prepared to walk and arent overecpecting to drop multiple whoppers at every bend in the creek.

Round Hill Ski field Road DOC land?????

My favourites are Sth Branch of the Ashburton (Haukarere) and the Hopkins (above Lake Ohau) The Haukauere country does seem to get a beating from the pet food chopper guys, last time we were there 3 years ago animals were a bit scarce and I see from @Bagheera 's recent report on the Cameron that the same situation might apply just now.

Cheers and enjoy. For fucks sake dont cross any dogy rivers just to catch a plane home - you might eventually get home but its likely to be in a box

Originally Posted by Bos

Round Hill Ski field Road DOC land?????

Not without a key to the gate.

Expectations are low. No one who chooses to hunt that country with a trad bow expects to kill something every trip. I just want some time in the mountains and see some animals with a chance of a close encounter.

The Hopkins sounds cool. Any chamois in that area or mainly tahr?

You could head up the Rangitata to Mesopotamia. Walk in from there

You could do worse than heading up the upper Godley area, few huts etc if you need a bolt hole and I have it on good authority there is a few critters about at the moment

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

Not without a key to the gate.

I just hoofed it from around about the locked gate. Stuck to the DOC land. Couple of years ago. 2 of us saw a few and got a bull each for a day trip.

That is some open country right there.

How far can I expect to be able to drive up the Hopkins with the little rental car?

Originally Posted by MtnMan

How far can I expect to be able to drive up the Hopkins with the little rental car?

Not that far, be better of in the temple north branch. Chamois and deer there and tahr as well but she can be rugged. South temple has hut.

ok, so if I had to go there it would be best to park at the 'Lodge' which appears to be the sealed road end on the Topo50 map?