Thread: Hunting the Akatarawas

Originally Posted by Tahr

Exactly what others have said. I would rather drive for 2 hours to avoid that shit and hunt less often. Even driving up the Whariti Rd and hitting the track for 30 mins and then turning down a western ridge will get you a deer easily enough. Find a good posse where you can see onto grassy slips. Don't lose too much elevation. Sit down and start glassing through your binos. If nothing, change locations. Do the same. Sitting on sharp spurs off main ridges where you can look into 2 catchment by not shifting far is a good plan. Best time will be 6pm and later at the moment. Take a GPS and good torch because you will be walking home in the dark. Good idea to have a mate with you for the first excursions.

Keep at it and stay on this forum. Its a great information source.

https://nz.geoview.info/whariti_road,180968776w

Yeah sounds like I'll be avoiding the aka's from now on and just driving further, that's algood it's worth it if I can find a bloody deer! Appreciate the tips, I'm assuming the deer like catching the afternoon sun and that's why they're on the west side right? I'm pretty new to this. Appreciate the advice a lot thanks

Originally Posted by Slug

Been there, done that, many moons ago. Surprised you did not get run over by motor bikes or baled up by pig dogs. It's a playground for these types, hence what deer are there are really good at hiding in the thicker regenerating bush.

I entered up further from the main trail entrance to avoid them, was a k or two north. That was kinda my assumption so I've been avoiding the trails and just walking directly into the bush

Originally Posted by XR500

Used to hunt in there in the 70's. Was always a hard hunt. Vegetation and topography is pretty much a nightmare. There's soo much better terrain and opportunities further North.

Hours spent hunting (Incl your driving time!) will be more productive further North, even as far as the Southern Ruahines.

Yeah I thought the terrain was pretty harsh it ain't easy going, lucky i like bush wacking i guess. Head north is the plan, sounds like the akatarawas are junk

Pmd you

Originally Posted by XR500

...Hold my beer


They haven't been looking very hard. The Northern Rata was everywhere when I frequented the place. But that was some time ago.

Yeah, this one was pretty big and the treehuggers got all excited

bless their cotton socks

Hunted the Aka's for years, IMO its a waste of time. I don't bother anymore. As others have said, head to Otaki forks from your side or a little further to the Ruahine. 9/10 when you factor in walking time together with drive time you'll be onto animals was sooner and easier further north. The hunting is way more pleasant too.

Alright so thanks everyone for the tips I appreciate them a lot!

I'm going to head up to the reservoirs in mangahao tomorrow after work and hunting the evening and early morning, try track down a good west facing ridge tomorrow and see what I can come across
Hopefully it puts out better results than the akas!

Originally Posted by choppypython

Yeah sounds like I'll be avoiding the aka's from now on and just driving further, that's algood it's worth it if I can find a bloody deer! Appreciate the tips, I'm assuming the deer like catching the afternoon sun and that's why they're on the west side right? I'm pretty new to this. Appreciate the advice a lot thanks

No. I mentioned the west side because off that particular track its easier to get into good look out spots by dropping to the West than the East off the main ridge which the track is on.

In terns of warmth and sun and where the deer will be Northerly facing faces and aspect is best. That means you will be on the shady side looking into it. Just a general guideline.

Okay sweet thanks for that

I / we have been in there numerous times, motor bike riding and four wheel drive trips and shot the odd animal.
But just do what the others have said....Just head north to much better easier deer country.