Thread: Horomanga Te Urewera

Hey team,

Rusa hunting newbie here. Have always wanted to chase Rusa for years, but the stories of vehicle break-ins and the like have put me off making the trip over there. Is it actually that bad? Anyone have any contacts for local farmers nearby the horomanga carpark they'd be willing to share that would allow me to park up in exchange for a box? Feel free to message me privately, Would be much appreciated. Hot barrels.

I used to hunt there chasing Rusa - the farm on the south side had Rusa behind wire - there was a lot of sign up the slopes behind that farm I would pay them a visit - I would not leave a car at that road end - very steep country but I bet there will still be a lot of sign - hard to hunt very very nocturnal - may require a number of visits you need to find pads where stags have been- I always saw deer just lol not a stag- big terrace on northern side worth a visit--most sign of beds and pads about 3/4 way up - some of the stag pads I have seen are big like 2-3 metres across and well used and smell - a lot of sign of deer moving down onto the grass but must be after dark -

IF you find someone who will let you park. Climb up a leading ridge, their all steep and scrubby, get up high where you can view clear spurs or ridges, sit and watch for animals, you need a mate with you so if you have success one stays to guide the other over. The present frosty weather is ideal for this type of hunting, sitting and watching for animals.

Originally Posted by tetawa

IF you find someone who will let you park. Climb up a leading ridge, their all steep and scrubby, get up high where you can view clear spurs or ridges, sit and watch for animals, you need a mate with you so if you have success one stays to guide the other over. The present frosty weather is ideal for this type of hunting, sitting and watching for animals.

Ideally you take a younger fitter type to go get the animal and you sit back at the rifle end with a two way radio and guide them in. Be heavy with the praise when they haul it back up the steep arsed hill to you. Who knows, they may come back hunting with you.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

I used to hunt there chasing Rusa - the farm on the south side had Rusa behind wire - there was a lot of sign up the slopes behind that farm I would pay them a visit - I would not leave a car at that road end - very steep country but I bet there will still be a lot of sign - hard to hunt very very nocturnal - may require a number of visits you need to find pads where stags have been- I always saw deer just lol not a stag- big terrace on northern side worth a visit--most sign of beds and pads about 3/4 way up - some of the stag pads I have seen are big like 2-3 metres across and well used and smell - a lot of sign of deer moving down onto the grass but must be after dark -

Thanks for the tips! Yeah keen to get over there and familiarize myself with the country over a few missions. Cheers.

Originally Posted by tetawa

IF you find someone who will let you park. Climb up a leading ridge, their all steep and scrubby, get up high where you can view clear spurs or ridges, sit and watch for animals, you need a mate with you so if you have success one stays to guide the other over. The present frosty weather is ideal for this type of hunting, sitting and watching for animals.

I've heard this sort of weathers the best to hunt them, being tropical climate deer. Thanks

Have hunted there once. The farmer down the road is a GC and will let you park at his place for a box. Was a 4 or so years back and sorry no contact details.

Originally Posted by Bobba

Have hunted there once. The farmer down the road is a GC and will let you park at his place for a box. Was a 4 or so years back and sorry no contact details.

Been a long time since i've been too. I don't have an old shitter i'm happy to leave at dodgy road ends anymore ha.

OP, If you have facebook join the nz rusa sambar hunters group and if you ask on there one of the locals may be amenable to you parking up at their place. that's how i got in touch with the farmer.

If your day hunting typically I would say your car will be sweet at most road ends along there but you never can be 100 percent sure. Ive never had a problem up horomunga but never left it there over night either.

I just send it these days and if some c@#t breaks in or steals my ute then what can you do? That's why we pay thousands of $$ insurance every year.

Used to hunt the Urewera frequently. Parked in all sorts of places. Minginui, Ruatahuna, Maungapohatu, Horomunga etc etc. Never had an issue with vehicle security.

Maori Flag bumper sticker was all it took. Not sure what it's like now.

As mentioned, the farmer on the right as you drive up the gravel access track is usually pretty accommodating. I’ll see if I can dig his number out but it's been a while.

Originally Posted by Hayden C

Maori Flag bumper sticker was all it took. .

Tuhoe Nation bumper sticker even better

Originally Posted by Nick.m

If your day hunting typically I would say your car will be sweet at most road ends along there but you never can be 100 percent sure. Ive never had a problem up horomunga but never left it there over night either.

I just send it these days and if some c@#t breaks in or steals my ute then what can you do? That's why we pay thousands of $$ insurance every year.

Yeah I'd be wanting to do a few overnighters to make the most of the trip. Have already had my ute stolen once with a fair bit of gear inside, the bloody insurance companies try everything to get out of paying up when it comes time to pay out.

Originally Posted by Hayden C

Used to hunt the Urewera frequently. Parked in all sorts of places. Minginui, Ruatahuna, Maungapohatu, Horomunga etc etc. Never had an issue with vehicle security.

Maori Flag bumper sticker was all it took. Not sure what it's like now.

As mentioned, the farmer on the right as you drive up the gravel access track is usually pretty accommodating. I’ll see if I can dig his number out but it's been a while.

Yeah that'd be great if you could mate! Cheers.

Don't worry this time of year and good weather your biggest concern will be having a lookout to yourself!