New to hunting

Having been on many walks but jot alot of action. What are your tips or tricks to start finding some deer.

Wanting to hunt doc land in hawkes bay.

Easy. Really. There are a number of access point for the ruahine ranges. Get yourself a tent and some Binos and climb up onto the tops from now until Mid January.

Sit overlooking tussock faces and galleys and just keep glassing the scrub edge. Morning and evening. If you are returning leaving tent in daylight, you are probably missing out.

Longveiw, sunrise, Sparrowhawk hut areas all look like decent options too me.

Join the NZDA.

BE SAFE. Learn to navigate in the bush.

Perhaps this will help.

I'm very excited to give the ruahines a go.
Is hunting just before light coming up and down the best times to get out there?

Thanks for this. Very helpful.

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Originally Posted by Ryan95

I'm very excited to give the ruahines a go.
Is hunting just before light coming up and down the best times to get out there?

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This all depends on your confidence and experience. Id start out camping very close to where you wish to hunt. Start with evening hunts where you sit until too dark to shoot. Make sure you have a good torch and GPS. Mornings will give you a little more leeway, be leaving camp just before shooting light and you can move a bit more looking for animals heading back to cover for the day. The further back you get away from huts and the majority of hunters, the more you will find animals hanging around in daylight.

Thanks for this. I have enough experience to get me out there so I'll give this a go. I'm sure it will take years of learning and it's something you never stop learning from either.

Also when replying how are you doing the quoted replies? I'm checking to see if this is the way. Cheers.

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Originally Posted by whanahuia

This all depends on your confidence and experience. Id start out camping very close to where you wish to hunt. Start with evening hunts where you sit until too dark to shoot. Make sure you have a good torch and GPS. Mornings will give you a little more leeway, be leaving camp just before shooting light and you can move a bit more looking for animals heading back to cover for the day. The further back you get away from huts and the majority of hunters, the more you will find animals hanging around in daylight.

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Just keep at it, it took me many attempts to start finding deer. Joining the local NZDA brings good trips too.

Welcome aboard

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Originally Posted by Oldbloke

Perhaps this will help.

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Excellent article that's a huge help, great post TVM.

If you look to the right of the Reply button there is a "reply with quote" button. Hit that, and either post Above

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Originally Posted by Ryan95

Also when replying how are you doing the quoted replies? I'm checking to see if this is the way. Cheers.

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OR below the quoted text :)

Great post, thank you. Hopefully I'm not hijacking your post.
I am also new to hunting and still haven't shot my first deer. I'm quickly realising that a lot walking is required to get away from the frequented areas as many places that are close to Christchurch get hammered.
However, it's just awesome being away from the rat race, listening to the birds, a running stream and just stopping for a bit.
My fitness is slowly improving with all of the hill climbs.
Out of the 4 hunting trips I have done, only once have I seen any deer.
More exploring to be done.
Good luck with your journey.

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Originally Posted by MonkeyNutz

Great post, thank you. Hopefully I'm not hijacking your post.
I am also new to hunting and still haven't shot my first deer. I'm quickly realising that a lot walking is required to get away from the frequented areas as many places that are close to Christchurch get hammered.
However, it's just awesome being away from the rat race, listening to the birds, a running stream and just stopping for a bit.
My fitness is slowly improving with all of the hill climbs.
Out of the 4 hunting trips I have done, only once have I seen any deer.
More exploring to be done.
Good luck with your journey.

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Cheers mate. Up here seems to be the same. The walks are doing great for the body and brain so no complaints. Yet still to find something. But perservarance sounds like the main thing.

Join the local NZDA club. Very helpful people happy to give you advice and tips.
I've just completed the HUNTS course with them. it's very helpful.
Meet some good buggers too

Attachment 264893

This was posted here some time ago. Good info.

Bit more:

In no particular order, here are a few points/tips.

Walk into the wind or at least cross wind
Do not sky line yourself and try to stay within cover/bush
Check wind every few minutes. Use cotton on barrel to indicate wind direction (or ‘puffer’ with chalk or corn flour) Don’t use a lighter, too noisy & bright.
Spray tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil on self & clothes
Shower with odourless soap to reduce perfumes, avoid after shave etc
Quiet stalking just after rain is best-try wearing runners, or boot covers or even in your socks.
Wear drap or cammo colours. Gloves & face veil or wear hand and face cammo.
Most animals are switched on to movement so FREEZE when they are looking in your direction
Almost all animals are colour blind but see blue & purple well. They also see UV
Do not wash clothes in normal detergent as it adds UV. Use natural soap or baking soda.
Most animals see bright orange & red as a drab colour so its OK to wear
Ambushing in the early morning or evening is productive as you are not moving around
Most animals like to stay out of the wind
Never talk, never hunt with wind behind you.
Walk in slow motion, stop & glass for a few minutes every 5-8 mtrs (all directions)
When you stop to glass stop in cover, behind tree, logs
Plan the stalk about 15 meters ahead to avoid noise.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oldbloke

Bit more:

In no particular order, here are a few points/tips.

Walk into the wind or at least cross wind
Do not sky line yourself and try to stay within cover/bush
Check wind every few minutes. Use cotton on barrel to indicate wind direction (or ‘puffer’ with chalk or corn flour) Don’t use a lighter, too noisy & bright.
Spray tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil on self & clothes
Shower with odourless soap to reduce perfumes, avoid after shave etc
Quiet stalking just after rain is best-try wearing runners, or boot covers or even in your socks.
Wear drap or cammo colours. Gloves & face veil or wear hand and face cammo.
Most animals are switched on to movement so FREEZE when they are looking in your direction
Almost all animals are colour blind but see blue & purple well. They also see UV
Do not wash clothes in normal detergent as it adds UV. Use natural soap or baking soda.
Most animals see bright orange & red as a drab colour so its OK to wear
Ambushing in the early morning or evening is productive as you are not moving around
Most animals like to stay out of the wind
Never talk, never hunt with wind behind you.
Walk in slow motion, stop & glass for a few minutes every 5-8 mtrs (all directions)
When you stop to glass stop in cover, behind tree, logs
Plan the stalk about 15 meters ahead to avoid noise.

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Thanks for that. I will definitely read this ten times over and lodge it in the memory bank. Cheers