first hunt and hunting etiquette

New hunter, so new that I don't own a centerfire. Got a permit from DOC for wallabies with a 22 around lake Rotoiti. Tells me where I can hunt. Been 3 times but stayed in the reserve area because of rain and wanted to stay near the car. So first real hunt today planned it all where I was going in, boundaries, features, heading in at dawn ect. Decided to miss dawn raid as I didn't know what the bush was like. So just before 8 am parked up on the verge and headed into the bush (bush right paddock left) got about 20m in and I herd a ute stop. moved to where I could see my car, old guy walks up to my car puts his hands on the roof and starts having a good look inside. I crashed out of the bush, he turns an said aggressively what you doing. I told him. You got a permit he said. He went on to tell me that I should inform him before going hunting. I said I don't know where you live and as far as I know follow that paddock fence line to the stream over the top everything on the right is DOC. You wouldn't be the first I have found on my land. If I hear gunshot I shoot up there to see whats going on. Was worried about my car the rest of the day but was fine. Now should I inform angry farmer when I want to hunt or not. Next question, Saw nothing but a few bits of poop. I realised how little I know about wallabies. Do they go in small groups, solo, or big mobs. The guy I spoke to in a shop said there everywhere you will see them. Am I just useless or am I missing something. Unsuccessful day but was enjoyable spending time in the bush. Live and have worked in rural communities a long time but I don't think I have met a farmer so aggressive.

Was it actually a farmer or someone caught scoping out your car putting on the bulshit cover?

Farmer he told me where he lived and pointed to his driveway.

Hi chindit. Welcome to the forum. You are at the beginning of the learning curve. Don't worry about the old tosser.

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Originally Posted by chindit

Am I just useless or am I missing something.

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not useless...probably missing something.... if you were useless you wouldnt have even got out there . do some research on what they eat and what there daily habits are this might help you be in the right place at the right time.... and keep going back . alot of successful hunters are successful because they have simply been out there alot . its the little things you start to notice , a sound or smell , a bit of folaige that looks like its been browsed recently that will make you stop and look . you could have walked right past an animal without even knowing that being said check your stalking/walking habits liisten to yourself and see if theres a need to move quieter and slower. all of this is generic and not specific to wobblys cos ive never chased those overgrown aussie rats so i hope its useful , not useless information.. no such word as cant , just havent figured out how yet!

How did you react to being confronted aggressively?

I have no idea what it is like up here but I went out for the first time in years in South Canterbury, when I was a kid it used to be a reasonably long day walk, this time it was a 20min walk up a farm track and around to the cold side of the gully looking back at the sunny side. It was light scrub with a few rocks and open grass patches, we just sat and waited, they just hop around doing their thing. This was also late afternoon.

As Scotty said, you could have walked right past an animal and not known it was there. Wobblies are well known for laying down and keeping still if they see you before you see them. I've frequently had them break out from almost under my feet. On the occasions when I've seen them hiding, they'll be laying with their head down on the ground and you'd swear they're a rock or a lump of wood. Cunning little suckers.

I won't comment too much on your confrontation other to say that I'd recommend you make a habit of letting the farmer know if you're heading out. It seems to me he's probably had issues with other hunters before. Next time you go out there try taking time to talk to the guy, ask him questions, get his number and maybe even offer to call before heading out in future... those things go a long way to building better relationships.

And a .22 on DOC land? I thought they frowned on that?

I occasionally deal with them sort through work. But I was aware that I had the firearm. I removed the bolt at the roadside, I was loading the mag when he pulled up. the gun was at my side pointing at the ground ALL the time. I spoke normally and answered his questions refusing to get into any argument. The fact remains why touch my car, the plate IDs the car and owner and if he had just taken the rego number I would have just thought ok and carried on

Sounds like he tried to staunch you out and yeah, if you were where you're supposed to be.. he could pound sand really.

May be that over time he has had a history of Poachers on his land hence tarring you with the same brush.
Try going to see him without your rifle and have a talk, explain how you are new to hunting and trying to learn on your own. Might just open a door for you. If not then wipe him like a dirty arse - at least you tried

All the best

22 on DoC land???

22 on doc land is positively encouraged with a purpose built range down here/
Maybe they allow them if you have a small game permit too .

Small game hunting permit: Permits and licences

Are wallabies included in the small game permit?

Not doubting your permit chindit, just curious as to what it is.

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Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

..... Probably the same guy you came across. Had a great yarn with him. He had a couple of cattle beasts butchered by some mongrels the previous week. Those sort of problems are ongoing around there, so don't be to hard on the guy.

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Yep, that puts things well and truly into context... great input 7mmwsm.

unless it says on the permit when you apply for it that you have to notify the farmer then he can suck the big one

Wallaby's (darma I think) have been around Rotorua lakes a long time. They must have reached saturation point as they are spreading. Had a flier through the letterbox saying if you see one contact DOC. Had a good chat with Maurice Wilkie D.O.C permit guy for Rotorua and he told me where they have now reached. He also told me where to look for my first deer when I get a gun. Hunter himself and top bloke. Permit is small game permit and states use of 22. There is a box for permitted species and wallabies is in. I am restricted where I can go but it is not a small area. unique to this area (a few places have them) and the critters are only about 60cm tall. think that's why a .22 is ok Talking to another guy he said they would like to sprinkle 1080 around the lakes but the local iwi are against it. Thanks for the info.

Well, there you go... you learn something new every day. First time I've heard of DOC issuing such a permit, but seems sensible enough.

I'd heard the Wobblies have really spread out. I hunted them when I lived there in the late '80's and they were pretty much confined to the north western side of Okataina, but on a recent trip to Murapara I heard they'd been seen down that way. Sad if true.

Keep on the good side of the farmer even if he is a tosser. If you ring him regularly he may even offer you his land to hunt on after he gets to know you better.