Thread: First Roar - A open question for the more 'seasoned' hunters

Evening Team

Been hunting a couple years now, and have deliberately targeted meat animals over that time. Over the past couple years I've passed on a few 6-8-10 pointers that were either young or clearly worth leaving to grow. I once did put a shot - too far back - on a old boy, with big wide antlers but not very many points, several hours of searching couldn't find him in thick bush. Still feel terrible about that shot. I think I didn't adjust enough for the fact that he was quartering.

This year I've got leave booked, done a few scouting trips (didn't see any trophies, but there were plenty of deer about) and am planning on heading for 3-6 days into the Lewis Tops. I didn't feel like I was ready to target a trophy before this roar, but now I've got a full freezer of meat and am ready for the next challenge.

You never can know enough, and the chance conversations I've had with experienced hunters when crossing paths on backcountry trails have given me so much good oil that I'm always quietly hoping I'll bump into another one when I'm out there, and be able to add a few more tricks to the book. Along that line of though; what have those of you who have lost count of the roar trips you've been on and the deer you've shot think a newcomer like myself should know, try, do.. or not do this roar?

Roar plenty but once you have one going don't try to out roar him. Wait a minute or 3 before replying.
Don't have a fire. Not until you smack one over
There's are couple of tips.

Originally Posted by Average-Lad

Evening Team

Been hunting a couple years now, and have deliberately targeted meat animals over that time. Over the past couple years I've passed on a few 6-8-10 pointers that were either young or clearly worth leaving to grow. I once did put a shot - too far back - on a old boy, with big wide antlers but not very many points, several hours of searching couldn't find him in thick bush. Still feel terrible about that shot. I think I didn't adjust enough for the fact that he was quartering.

This year I've got leave booked, done a few scouting trips (didn't see any trophies, but there were plenty of deer about) and am planning on heading for 3-6 days into the Lewis Tops. I didn't feel like I was ready to target a trophy before this roar, but now I've got a full freezer of meat and am ready for the next challenge.

You never can know enough, and the chance conversations I've had with experienced hunters when crossing paths on backcountry trails have given me so much good oil that I'm always quietly hoping I'll bump into another one when I'm out there, and be able to add a few more tricks to the book. Along that line of though; what have those of you who have lost count of the roar trips you've been on and the deer you've shot think a newcomer like myself should know, try, do.. or not do this roar?

1) watch the wind constantly 2) listen especially at night try to determine where the stags are 3) if you do roar keep it to an absolute minimum and really only early morning and evening -to much roaring from you and likely you will shut up more than you actually get going 4) use buddy system if you do go in on a stag - one stay back and very occasionally roar - one go in silently -try to come down onto stag not come up from underneath have fun

All those deer you got for the freezer should have had their pizzlies and piss bags removed and frozen and then the night before you go for your big hunt you unfreeze the piss bags and pour them over your Swanie and tie the pizzlies to your belt, you will smell like a manky ol'stag especially after a week in the bush.

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

All those deer you got for the freezer should have had their pizzlies and piss bags removed and frozen and then the night before you go for your big hunt you unfreeze the piss bags and pour them over your Swanie and tie the pizzlies to your belt, you will smell like a manky ol'stag especially after a week in the bush.

Really really - the man asked for advice not being wound up with this kind of humour - are you serious - I just cant work out if you actually mean this piece of stupidity or you are winding us all up -- if you for some insane reason actually mean you do something so bloody stupid then consider this - wind - for your insane thinking to work the stag needs to smell it - ya think with their sense of smell ya can camoflage your smell - good luck with that - if indeed ya was winding us all up ya achieved it

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

Really really - the man asked for advice not being wound up with this kind of humour - are you serious - I just cant work out if you actually mean this piece of stupidity or you are winding us all up -- if you for some insane reason actually mean you do something so bloody stupid then consider this - wind - for your insane thinking to work the stag needs to smell it - ya think with their sense of smell ya can camoflage your smell - good luck with that - if indeed ya was winding us all up ya achieved it

this is actually not uncommon,couple of my mates in their younger days used to tie pizzles to their belts didn't soak cloths in piss though,its a young mans game-give it a go op and let us know how it goes.

Learn how to do a hind or calf call for red deer. Don't try to stop a red stag on the move in the open with a roar, use a calf call, try in the bush too, but keep it to a minimum.
Have fun out there.

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Average-Lad

Evening Team

Been hunting a couple years now, and have deliberately targeted meat animals over that time. Over the past couple years I've passed on a few 6-8-10 pointers that were either young or clearly worth leaving to grow. I once did put a shot - too far back - on a old boy, with big wide antlers but not very many points, several hours of searching couldn't find him in thick bush. Still feel terrible about that shot. I think I didn't adjust enough for the fact that he was quartering.

This year I've got leave booked, done a few scouting trips (didn't see any trophies, but there were plenty of deer about) and am planning on heading for 3-6 days into the Lewis Tops. I didn't feel like I was ready to target a trophy before this roar, but now I've got a full freezer of meat and am ready for the next challenge.

You never can know enough, and the chance conversations I've had with experienced hunters when crossing paths on backcountry trails have given me so much good oil that I'm always quietly hoping I'll bump into another one when I'm out there, and be able to add a few more tricks to the book. Along that line of though; what have those of you who have lost count of the roar trips you've been on and the deer you've shot think a newcomer like myself should know, try, do.. or not do this roar?

Do you belong to ChCh NZDA? They do some great club trips and there is a wealth of knowledge.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Do you belong to ChCh NZDA? They do some great club trips and there is a wealth of knowledge.

I am a member, but probably won't renew.

But to be honest I've not found the meetings very welcoming to newcomers and I've asked several times about club trips and the HUNTS course and never even gotten a response.

Originally Posted by Average-Lad

I am a member, but probably won't renew.

But to be honest I've not found the meetings very welcoming to newcomers and I've asked several times about club trips and the HUNTS course and never even gotten a response.

Thats a real shame. I thought they had moved on from that frosty stuff. @Mathias ?

My Wellington branch is wonderful with newbies.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Thats a real shame. I thought they had moved on from that frosty stuff. @Mathias ?

My Wellington branch is wonderful with newbies.

I'm a member a bit further south @Tahr, but I might take this comment up with a key member of North Cant and make sure he is aware of this.

Originally Posted by Average-Lad

I am a member, but probably won't renew.

But to be honest I've not found the meetings very welcoming to newcomers and I've asked several times about club trips and the HUNTS course and never even gotten a response.

Similar. Went to a meeting and not going back. Would have been good if they had a newbies chat area.

Originally Posted by uk_exile

Similar. Went to a meeting and not going back. Would have been good if they had a newbies chat area.

Bugger.
Ive contacted the branch about this. Its not what we want to hear.

Originally Posted by Average-Lad

I am a member, but probably won't renew.

But to be honest I've not found the meetings very welcoming to newcomers and I've asked several times about club trips and the HUNTS course and never even gotten a response.

That's a shame to hear. My experience at my local North Auckland NZDA branch has been the opposite. The first couple of meetings were a little awkward not knowing many people but on the whole I found everyone would happily chat if I introduced myself. If in doubt there's usually another newbie feeling even more awkward who would be stoked to have someone come up and say hello.

I suppose there's a lot of variation between branches. My local has been on an active drive to revamp its image and grow its membership and IMO they've done a great job. Also the effort some of the guys there put into running the best hunts course they can is pretty amazing, especially considering they are all volunteers.

be safe.....be careful.....be cautious......and be bold when needed..if that big boy is going to mean a night out after bowling it over,so be it,you should be carrying enough gear to do it safely. enjoy your time out on hill,pick up on the little things,the bellbirds,the riflemen,the kea,the feel of the breaze,that cool drink of crystal clear water,or even the muddy swamp stuff if youve busted arse on big climb...shooting a deer is only a small part of the whole picture..when you learn to appreciate the rest of the picture,the deer will be enjoyed even more.... and you will feel better in yourself just by getting out on hill,I know that sounds mushy but Im positive MOST folks who have grey in thier beards will agree.