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.

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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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Woody

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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where does that go? through to the Oamaru?

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Originally Posted by DavidGunn

where does that go? through to the Oamaru?

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It goes to the high point above North Arm (Maungaorangi) then runs south along the ridge to the east of the north arm stream (Te Waiotupuritea) and comes out near the junction of the Oamaru and Waitawhero stream.

four and half 5 hours about right. when you get to the top of the climb you sort of branch right just befor a small clearing 2mts x 2 mtrs obviously lunch stop for most, sit and look at the view. Behind you as you look at the view there is what can be called a large stand of mature trees with very little undergrouth and you can see a fair distance through the trees. So maybee stelth mode near the top there probably be no talking as you will be gasping for air after the climb. lol. That the best I can describe the place , i stopped for lunch there took a look around and thought what a cracker spot

The Cascade Hut is a great place to go to for hunting, it doesn't see the pressure like Oamaru Hut but it's a bit of a gut buster to get in there as you'll soon see but certainly worth going. The hut itself is great but over winter doesn't see too much sun so it can be a cold place.

I used to spend a bit of time in there years back when Stanfeild Whare was still there which is a very old hut dating back to the 50's from memory and was just down river of Cascade Hut itself. Always great lighting fires in the fire place and the smoke going up through it's pumice chimney.

There is plenty of great bush hunting around Cascade Hut, even the walk in I'll be surprised if you don't get squealed or bump into one on the track.

Another place to venture into as one of your mates is wanting some 'comfort' is to go into Oamaru Hut, yes it gets the pressure but it's an easy 2.5 - 3 hr walk to get into through Poronui Station which you can't hunt on but if you go early morning or late afternoon then you'll see a few sika, get squealed at so you'll know what to look for.

Plenty of hunting in and around Oamaru Hut but as I mentioned above it does get its share of pressure because its an easier hut to get into than the likes of the Cascade but the deer aren't as spooky as to what Clements Mill Road is but they are educated but if you get away from the hut abit then the pressure is less and the deer aren't so easily spooked.

Yes, there is deer on Clements, even bumped into pigs but the deer there are next level wary.

May, June and in fact anytime of the year is a great time to chase sika and learn their behavior.

Two things I miss ALOT since moving south... "Kaimanawas" & "sika"

Cascade is mean. Well worth the walk. I probably personally would want more than a 3 day hunt to do it though as its a solid walk to get in there. You'll spend as much time walking as you will get hunting.

The oamaru would be my pick, especially midweek. Easy walk in and plenty of deer. The hut does get heaps of pressure but numbers are still good. I've spooked deer on the front lawn there taking a piss in the early hours with a hut full of hunters, also shot deer within 20 minutes walk/hunt of the hut, they are a bit less wary if you get up and shoot up or down the track for an hour first though.

Feels like forever since I've hunted there must make time to do a winter mission

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Do not let a bit of walking put you off.
Into the Cascade from the road end or over Te Iringa to the Oamaru was the deal for us years ago.
With the lightweight gear options today it would be even easier.

Must go to Cascade again.
Did Kiko to Clements in the early 90s. Was a great walk and saw quite a few deer. Is it still able to be done? I see there is a bit of private land in the middle.

Awesome cheers all for the input! Some great info there. I’ll have a bit of a yarn with the fellas and make a d around whether we stick with Cascade or do Oamaru.

Sounds like either way is a win, can’t wait to get out there!

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Originally Posted by Ted6. 5

Must go to Cascade again.
Did Kiko to Clements in the early 90s. Was a great walk and saw quite a few deer. Is it still able to be done? I see there is a bit of private land in the middle.

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Yep.....Helisika still allow foot access from Ngapuketurua to Cascade ( I think?) and the new route from Cascade out over Maungaorangi to avoid the private land in the North Arm is on Conservation land. Actually opens up some other options like a roam aound the head of Jap Creek etc if you're keen.

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Originally Posted by Maxx

Yep.....Helisika still allow foot access from Ngapuketurua to Cascade ( I think?) and the new route from Cascade out over Maungaorangi to avoid the private land in the North Arm is on Conservation land. Actually opens up some other options like a roam aound the head of Jap Creek etc if you're keen.

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When did you confirm this? Ideal if they will let you still