Thread: First trip into kaimanawas

Hi all. Once this covid business is finally over a few mates are keen on a two, maybe three, night hunt, depending on everyone’s work schedules.

One of the boys has moved up north so the Kaimanawas are a good halfway point for everyone but we’ve never been in there before. Not knowing the area a quick walk into cascade hut and basing ourselves outta there seems like a good way to maximise hunting time (All bush stalking from what I can see?). We’d be going midweek so hopefully a good chance of striking the hut empty. Only concern is whether it’s accessibility means the surrounding areas have been hammered to death. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Hunting will always be better if you are fly camping. There's bound to be deer around the hut though.

You can hunt deer off the end of the road (they are pretty educated though) so should be OK at Cascade. Your main issue will be going slow enough. Sit and watch a lot.

They will still be roaring in May. I am heading in there as soon as I can.

Good luck.

Sika are immune to getting hammered. Clements Mill road, all of the private blocks have hunters in them just about all the time and the deer still seem to be there. The ones that live next to the huts are just a bit smarter.

Originally Posted by Chur Bay

Hunting will always be better if you are fly camping. There's bound to be deer around the hut though.

Yeah was keen on that but one of the guys is fairly new and has comfort near the top of his priority list for a midwinter trip! Sorry should’ve mentioned that we needa keep it fairly beginner friendly for a guy who hasn’t done much aside from a few day hunts with us in the ruahines

Awesome thanks heaps for the quick feedback guys. Sounds like plan A is a go then, just get everyone’s work schedules aligned and try get in there ASAP!

Hope yall fit. Its a good climb over into the Taursnga Taupo river- Cascade.

Originally Posted by Woody

Hope yall fit. Its a good climb over into the Taursnga Taupo river- Cascade.

440m climb. You'll be fine.

Was at Cascade hut around 8/10 weeks ago, not hunting but tramping. The track is not that well marked in places and fairly overgrown. Only me there midweek. According to hut log a few deer get shot on river clearings, didnt look around that well but but what I saw and describe as river flats with lots of manuka. Early morning I did hear the mewing (is that what you call it) close to the hut and was sign close to the hut. Clements road is like Queen street with a few camps set up. Talked to one guy walking down the road with rifle, he said plenty of deer just off the road but he was empty handed.

"A quick walk into the Cascade"...how long have you allowed for walking in?

Cheers for the input, all hella helpful stuff! Encouraging to hear there’s a few deer around the place, looking forward to getting onto our first sika (all going well).

@DavidGunn - thinking around 5hrs give or take so definitely not imagining a quick hrs jaunt haha

Originally Posted by KeyMod

Cheers for the input, all hella helpful stuff! Encouraging to hear there’s a few deer around the place, looking forward to getting onto our first sika (all going well).

@DavidGunn - thinking around 5hrs give or take so definitely not imagining a quick hrs jaunt haha

it's a bigger walk than I would do for "beginner friendly" but go for it, make sure you take something for the feet blisters...I have been in McNutts hut (North Arm) and had spot lighters walk up from the Cascade, keen bastards they were.

They mustve been bloody kern alright. The drop off ftom Nth Arm saddle into cascade is a ripper.

The new track from Cascade takes you up on to the tops above the North Arm (rather than down the valley as it used to). That's a decent walk too.

Originally Posted by Shearer

The new track from Cascade takes you up on to the tops above the North Arm (rather than down the valley as it used to). That's a decent walk too.

where does that go? through to the Oamaru?