Thread: Kaweka Fly in Hunt/Fish Recommendations

Hey I'm looking at a flyin trip into the Kawekas round end of feb-march next year. Are there any recommendations/Preferences for which heli company to go with and what are peoples experiences with certain huts you have stayed in and hunted round? this would be greatly appreciated

Iv never flown in before but iv herd a few people use "http://www.helisika.co.nz/" And have had only good things to say.

Originally Posted by Met4lboy

Iv never flown in before but iv herd a few people use "http://www.helisika.co.nz/" And have had only good things to say.

I've heards the exact opposite. Call Chris Crosse @ East Kaweka Helicopters. 068398693. Oma biv or Ngaawarapua would be a good option.

Flew in with HeliSika into Kakapo Hut last year, cant say a bad word about the guys, very professional and really helpful. Cheers

I flew in with them this year , Pilot had no idea where the block was (private HS block) or where to land (old hut site) ended up dropping us on DOC land , them pleaded with us not to tell anyone when we got picked up after he found out what he had done , other than that it was good service .

Yea I've heard east kawekas heli is the man for the business, but does he provide private huts also? I usually tramp in but thought for the experience I'd like to do a private block heli trip

Id be a bit worried if the pilot had no idea where he was up there,, now days most of them are using GPS , when I was flying around up there it wasn't too hard to find your way in good weather and you wouldn't want to be in the hills if it clags in badly. At a guess both these operators would be good.

Originally Posted by kiwijames

I've heards the exact opposite. Call Chris Crosse @ East Kaweka Helicopters. 068398693. Oma biv or Ngaawarapua would be a good option.

Kiwijames is on to it.

Chris Crosse will see you right.

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by JoshChiv

Yea I've heard east kawekas heli is the man for the business, but does he provide private huts also? I usually tramp in but thought for the experience I'd like to do a private block heli trip

There's more than enough deer and trout on public land. Around the times you're talking the private stuff will probably be just as hammered anyway. Just because you're paying doesn't make it better. Heli Sika will have some good access into their Mohaka blocks but are not my cup of tea.
Talk with Chris. He flies because he loves it, not just because it pays the bills.

James is right, I've been to many private blocks over the years and to be honest the doc ones in the back blocks are just as good. Really comes down to how good you are at stalking plus a bit of luck of course ! Now that access to most places is easy if you can afford the time and fly in costs I'm sure they all get a lot of pressure most of the time.
i can remember when I was learning to fly in the bush and talking to Jason ex H/Sika we spotted lots of deer in places where hunters had flown in the week before and told them that there were no animals in the block !! How ever the pilots that are really interested in the hunting can tell you which places should be hunting well. At the end of the day its great to get to places you normally cant walk to easily just for a change of scenery.

Thanks for the advice TJM , I've hunted plenty of front half of the kawekas and thought why not pop over the back for a look. Carrying out meat from the back blocks would be a mission and a half. and I guess you're right about the private vs public they just would get hammered as each other, probably the private blocks more.

Flying in with Helisika on Sunday so will review how it all works out.

Originally Posted by JoshChiv

Thanks for the advice TJM , I've hunted plenty of front half of the kawekas and thought why not pop over the back for a look. Carrying out meat from the back blocks would be a mission and a half. and I guess you're right about the private vs public they just would get hammered as each other, probably the private blocks more.

Chris is the go-to-man.
Consider heli-pad sites without a hut too. You can fly in a comfortable home/tent set up. The pads are less popular, and the types that use them are less inclined to thrash the area. You can get better hunting on public land than on the pay-to-hunt blocks.

+1 for Omar biv.Awsome trout fishing right out front and good bush to hunt.Not for up to the tops either.Mint spot.

I see you live in HB. Just pack up your gear and wander over the back of the J . Outstanding public land sika hunting. Take a fly and the world is your oyster young man!

Few trips hauling meat out from the back should see you fit enough