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

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.