Thread: Kaimai hunt this week

So here's how it went. It was good and bad. Bad because I didn't score a deer, much less, I didn't even spook or see one. This I don't really mind because I feel like I learnt stuff, this is why its good.

We found lots of sign, mostly in the form of droppings but some hoof prints in muddy areas (most places weren't muddy). I also saw an antler rubbing which was cool as I've never seen one before. Most of the droppings were very hard and old but some were soft and I think only once or twice I saw moist/wet droppings. Is it normal to see mostly old sign and much less new? And when you see old sign, do you take it was sign that deer frequent the area, or that they were once there but probably got spooked out? It was good to get the feel for locating sign. I also found some of what I think were pig rootings and droppings on one of the clearings but the forum won't let me upload the photos to show you guys (too big).

I hunted the first clearing dawn and dusk and nothing came out. I opted for the first clearing as it was the one which had the most grass that seemed good to eat. Also it offered a good vantage point and was an easy walk to our camp. I had a problem with the wind as it was very slight, I had trouble (especially when stalking) to keep it on my face. When it seems as though there is virtually no wind, can you forget about it and stalk in any direction? or must you try really hard to keep what little wind there is on your face?

Often when I came across sign when I was stalking I would stop and just listen for awhile. A few times I heard some noise, but nothing that made me think there was definitely a deer about, the bush was dammned quiet most of the time.

I'll definitely give the place another crack because there was a some decent sign in there, but I think it probably gets a pretty decent hounding being so accessible and so close to tauranga, so maybe its not the easiest place for a newbie like me.

All in all I had a good time and I'd say I made some progress.
Next time I hope I'm more 'lucky' haha

And cheers for the help again mucko. PM me sometime if you are free and want to head out there - I'll be your pack-horse bitch-boy for all the help you've given me haha

Originally Posted by phillipgr

So here's how it went. It was good and bad. Bad because I didn't score a deer, much less, I didn't even spook or see one. This I don't really mind because I feel like I learnt stuff, this is why its good.

We found lots of sign, mostly in the form of droppings but some hoof prints in muddy areas (most places weren't muddy). I also saw an antler rubbing which was cool as I've never seen one before. Most of the droppings were very hard and old but some were soft and I think only once or twice I saw moist/wet droppings. Is it normal to see mostly old sign and much less new? And when you see old sign, do you take it was sign that deer frequent the area, or that they were once there but probably got spooked out? It was good to get the feel for locating sign. I also found some of what I think were pig rootings and droppings on one of the clearings but the forum won't let me upload the photos to show you guys (too big).



I hunted the first clearing dawn and dusk and nothing came out. I opted for the first clearing as it was the one which had the most grass that seemed good to eat. Also it offered a good vantage point and was an easy walk to our camp. I had a problem with the wind as it was very slight, I had trouble (especially when stalking) to keep it on my face. When it seems as though there is virtually no wind, can you forget about it and stalk in any direction? or must you try really hard to keep what little wind there is on your face?

Often when I came across sign when I was stalking I would stop and just listen for awhile. A few times I heard some noise, but nothing that made me think there was definitely a deer about, the bush was dammned quiet most of the time.

I'll definitely give the place another crack because there was a some decent sign in there, but I think it probably gets a pretty decent hounding being so accessible and so close to tauranga, so maybe its not the easiest place for a newbie like me.

All in all I had a good time and I'd say I made some progress.
Next time I hope I'm more 'lucky' haha

And cheers for the help again mucko. PM me sometime if you are free and want to head out there - I'll be your pack-horse bitch-boy for all the help you've given me haha

so you had fun and learnt heaps thats awesome, now put those skills to use and head up old kaimai road and hit the henderson tram line, for you photos download faststone photo resizer with a bit of a play you will have the file size right for uploading. talk soon