Thread: hunting in the snow?

Hi all

Can anyone tell me what deer hunting in the winter snow would be like?

Im thinking of doing a day hunt in a area were it will start to snow shortly. Just wanting to get an idea on what it would be like as its a fair distance to drive.

Cheers Dan

Snow near Hamilton?

Can make tracking easier. But, in heavy snow the bush can be leaning over, cold, wet and if hunting on the tops, often hard to notice uneven ground as you foot punches through.

Haha no snow neer hamilton. National park area

Dan make sure you are prepared for the worst of possible conditions.

If you are going to hunt the Kaimanawa's during the winter, take plenty of toilet paper and a pack full of undies as every time one of those ti-tree laden with snow suddenly stands up beside you, you will need them.

Originally Posted by Spook

If you are going to hunt the Kaimanawa's during the winter, take plenty of toilet paper and a pack full of undies as every time one of those ti-tree laden with snow suddenly stands up beside you, you will need them.

Ha ha ha ha the voice of experience huh Spook.

ok thanks guys. I will definitely be more prepared and watch were i stand. I will be familiar with were im going but it would be alot different being in snow.

Cheers.

Hunting in the snow can be difficult. The deer expend more energy feeding than couching down and trying to stay warm, so will often lay up until a thaw.
It's usually noisy stalking and snow seems to amplify sound.
If you can find a quiet, sunny spot where the snow is melting on a warm day, it may be worth sitting in wait as the deer will be hungry and take the first opportunity to feed that they get.
If your bush stalking, try to find good heavy cover as the deer will likely be out of the wind, on the warm faces lying low.

One of my first hunts back in the 90's was to the Boyd hut in a chopper from Heli Sika. We crossed over the saddle and into a white country as far as the eye could see. We got our gear into the hut and headed out the back for a quick reccy.
Lessons learned were that every step sounds as loud as a church bell, every branch you touch will drop snow down your collar, fingers and toes get cold pretty quick and it is not like the movies with nice soothing music playing in the background. Also learned the importance of a quality sleeping bag which I did not have

I was going to give some cheek about this but wise old comments prevail,stay safe and good luck.

The first really low heavy dump of snow can be productive stalking in the bush, branches out of reach are suddenly in reach for the deer.
But yes very wet and cold.

I used to love hunting the Ruahines and Kaimanawas after a snow fall, so long as I could get through the stuff to my favourite spots. Watch out for the short window of a high that inevitably follows a southerly. Hunt the mid zone where there is a bit of sun and feed. Glass a lot from an elevated spur or ridge. Don’t flounder around in the bush. The deer will be out feeding and moving around a bit in the warmth. A lower area like the Urchin is a good place for this. Go to the top, drop down a spur a bit and start glassing into the warmer areas. Wrap up warm (a thermos is a good idea).

If its snowing or shitty, stay home.

Ive thought about this last winter, didnt do it and now probably wont!!!!!!

I've got a couple longer trips pencilled in in the kaimanawas in june/july. I think i'll be a softie and go to a hut though haha she'll be cold.

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Originally Posted by Scouser

Ive thought about this last winter, didnt do it and now probably wont!!!!!!

Give it a crack if only for the experience

On a trip down Clemments about 5 years ago for a weekend. Thought for breakfast both mornings I would just have honey on bread. Was pretty cold. The marg was too hard to spread and the liquid honey had set so had bread with blobs of honey. About 7am the car windows started to ice over

It is moments like that which are remember, not the ones sitting at home (I have an excuse to stay home now )