Fiordland

I've decided I'm not getting any younger; if I'm to do it I'm to do it now, no time like the present and what not. I look at photos of the place, the scenery, the big waps, its all so appealing. I have used my fitness as an excuse to not bother, I think that's a cop out. So here it is, I have made this a goal of mine - I want to hunt Fiordland for Wapiti during the Bugle.

Thing is, I don't know where to start? Any old hands on here tell me about the ins and out? Gear to have, How the ballot system works, tactics for waps, the works. Hit me. I'm working on the fitness, N.I. bush hunting experience only, good navigator, have most gear I think I'd need but am open to suggestions on the things I don't.

Lets hear it! Keen to hear from people who have actual experience there. Cheers

Pointer have only hunted a hybrid block before in the bugle & only shot/seen reds , so know no more than you probably . Rod and rifle had a series of articles on the bugle blocks , pretty sure I've got 1 mag you can have ,out lines a few of the blocks . I'm sure someone will have the lot . Worth a read .
Last years ballot was put up August and closed 13 October . So plenty of time to hatch a plan . I'd be keen to help with numbers ( ute& boat ) and certainly want to enter the ballot .

Good luck with this Pointer. Has always been an ambition of mine and I have let far more years slip by than you have so clearly the danger of doing that is there.

Pointer I wish you well on your quest . My input is only to help hedge your bets , hopefully someone with a better offer can achieve your goal .

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Originally Posted by Munsey

Pointer I wish you well on your quest . My input is only to help hedge your bets , hopefully someone with a better offer can achieve your goal .

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But you have claimed first dibs now Munsey.

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Originally Posted by Rushy

But you have claimed first dibs now Munsey.

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True ha ha . Nah Didn't want too jump on his band wagon , just making that clear ;)

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Originally Posted by Munsey

True ha ha . Nah Didn't want too jump on his band wagon , just making that clear ;)

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Pointer is a great bloke to have sitting around a camp fire.

Pretty sure its more the inland tops blocks that hold the wap.
went into a coastal block last year.reds lots of reds hardly sleep for the roaring :thumbup:

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Cheers all, I'd imagine getting on board with others putting in for the ballot would be a good start, especially seasoned wap hunters - Munsey keen if you are?

VC inland blocks the better option for waps? Going by the spot x book looks like your right. Not fussed on the reds, we have those up here although I wouldn't pass a good one up if I saw one in there!

I think so, coastal Is full of reds as they cannot cull effectively bush from a chopper.

Jim i have the wap series of rod n rifle if you want a read.

@Munsey @Pointer i am keen to go in on the ballot this year. Is it more likely to get a block with a smaller group or a group of 6?

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Originally Posted by Gibo

Jim i have the wap series of rod n rifle if you want a read.

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Cheers, next time I see ya I'll grab them

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Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

@Munsey @Pointer i am keen to go in on the ballot this year. Is it more likely to get a block with a smaller group or a group of 6?

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Can anyone tell us about the ballot? what are the odds, do I hedge my bets and enter a few times?

Car pie

You can only enter the ballot once as part of a party of 2,3,4 or 6 (no 5 person partys), but there are 25(?) blocks and three ballot periods so 75 chances to get a block if you put in for all. If you put in as a pair you have more chance of getting a block, but will have to share with another party. There are 6 person max per block. So if you have a party of 6 you don't share, but any of the other choices you will share, but 6 persons max in the block.
When you put in you number the blocks in order of preference. When they pull your number out they go down your list until they find a free block.
ie you might really want the George block so put it down as Choice 1 George 1st period Choice 2 George 2nd period, Choice 3 George 3rd period Choice 4 Edith 1st period
Do some research, some of the blocks are mainly reds, a long way to go to shoot a red deer.

Fiordland tops , it still be special even if a good red stag was on offer !

Yep it is a pretty special place. I've only put in once, managed to draw the Mid Burn block. Didn't see too many animals but had a great time. Only problem is school holidays don't line up to well with the ballot periods.

Get very fit, get a good set of binos & a spotting scope (Swaro, Leica etc) this will save you walking some torrid country for naught. Buy a strong light tent (Hubba Hubba HP etc). Layered clothing system to keep you warm while you glass,glass & glass some more.

Cheers @Skinny,

Have a weighted pack, currently at 15kg, going down my road I live on (gradual to steep) running every third road marker, then up it again via the surrounding paddocks to add resistance, at frequency of 3 times a week. Adds up to just over 6km over some ugly hills. Plan to up the weight and distance as time goes on, but taking it easy to start. I have been quite fit in the past due to other sports, so I have found this initial 'break in' period quite easy but don't want to over do it. Easy does it. Trying to keep the fitness reqime task-specific

Good binos are on the cards, you would recommend a spotting scope also?

Half way through a stack of @Gibos' mags with the Fiordland articles, quite informative pieces :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Pointer

Cheers @Skinny,

Have a weighted pack, currently at 15kg, going down my road I live on (gradual to steep) running every third road marker, then up it again via the surrounding paddocks to add resistance, at frequency of 3 times a week. Adds up to just over 6km over some ugly hills. Plan to up the weight and distance as time goes on, but taking it easy to start. I have been quite fit in the past due to other sports, so I have found this initial 'break in' period quite easy but don't want to over do it. Easy does it. Trying to keep the fitness reqime task-specific

Good binos are on the cards, you would recommend a spotting scope also?

Half way through a stack of @Gibos' mags with the Fiordland articles, quite informative pieces :thumbsup:

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Lets do some more training this weekend. Try and get something for you to carry :P Beers Thursday, sort out a plan.

Didn't I carry your last one? :ORLY: Lets go test your new Pengy pack

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Originally Posted by Pointer

Didn't I carry your last one? :ORLY: Lets go test your new Pengy pack

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Ha Ha! Shhhuuush!!! I was giving you the opportunity to start the training early :ORLY: Yip keen as.

Plenty of info here. Has maps of the blocks also.

Wapiti Blocks

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Originally Posted by Pointer

Didn't I carry your last one? :ORLY: Lets go test your new Pengy pack

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Pengy pack is it ? Then pengy should get to eat what gets carried in it :)

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Originally Posted by Pengy

Pengy pack is it ? Then pengy should get to eat what gets carried in it :)

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You are welcome to some 'tax' :D

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Originally Posted by Pengy

Pengy pack is it ? Then pengy should get to eat what gets carried in it :)

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So Gibo shoots it, I carry it and you eat it? talk about short end of the stick!

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Originally Posted by Pointer

So Gibo shoots it, I carry it and you eat it? talk about short end of the stick!

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You really lucked out Pointer.

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Originally Posted by Pointer

Cheers @Skinny,



Good binos are on the cards, you would recommend a spotting scope also?

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Yep a good quality spotting scope is invaluable if you can afford one

When does the ballot close??? who are you heading in with Pointer??

The answer to both of those is "not sure!" Keen?

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Originally Posted by Twoshotkill

When does the ballot close??? who are you heading in with Pointer??

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Closes 12 october Home