New to Welly area, advice on goats?

I recently moved to welly from Otago a few months ago (a bit of a culture shock).

Have been trying to find some goats for a new .223 I got that needs first blood. Went in the Tararua side of the Rimutaka pass the other day but only saw my reflection. I see they doing big goat operation in there anyway.

Any tips of general areas to prospect for goats? Not necessarily after specific spots but which doc blocks to look at be helpful.

I can usually only get out for a day trip on weekdays these days :/

Saw a fair few goats in the Rimutaka's when I lived down there, I was chasing deer so was not looking for them particularly.

Quite a few in Otaki Forks mate, saw about 15 last time I was in heading up to Waiotauru Hut on the slips in the river. I have also heard there is meant to be a few in Penn Creek in Tararua's but never been there to confirm.
Otherwise there is quite a few in the southern end of the Rimutaka's (up Corner Creek and Mukamuka Stream way).

Hey mate, I did the move up to Welly from Dunnas in 2020 after 11 years down there. Definitely a different kettle of fish up here, but there's some good hunting to be had.

Yeah, they have been culling a lot around recently over the Remutaka Hill Road. Up til a few months ago it was pretty normal to see goats feeding on the side of the road during the day. I haven't been up for probably 6 months, but I used to park at the carpark just below the summit on the Hutt side and walk about 20mins up to the trig and then pop into the bush from there. Used to do alright. You could often see them from the carpark. The southern part of the Remutakas is good for goats. As mentioned above- head up towards Mt Matthews, Mukamuka Stream way etc and there's plenty around.

There are low numbers of them in certain patches of Aorangi Forest Park as well.

Even at Cross Creek by the incline track there are heaps they're slippery beggars though : they must know that the DOC rules around the Remutaka Incline walkway are no hunting within 200m of the track because they hadn't around 100m from the carpark

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Seen a few pop out on the side of the road in the Akatarawas - between the saddle and Staglands
If you can access a trailbike or quad they are in the Akas in a mob as well
Get a free map if ya go in the trailbike area
https://www.gw.govt.nz/document/1653...reation-tracks

Give it time after the cull and they will be back. The Rimutaka hill road had been briefly closed so cullers could do the control from the road itself of the surrounding area. Take your walk as a lesson on getting to know the area. South Wellington (around Karori to the Cook straight) had a big goat cull a few years ago and stated that they were going to throw everything at it and wipe them out for once and for all. Today, one can walk the walkways on the hills or around the coastline and easily spot mobs of them. Hard not to put your imaginary cross hairs on them and work out how one would take out the whole mob.

Saw a couple of black nannies feeding the hillside by Transmission Gulley last week

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Originally Posted by Slug

Give it time after the cull and they will be back. The Rimutaka hill road had been briefly closed so cullers could do the control from the road itself of the surrounding area. Take your walk as a lesson on getting to know the area. South Wellington (around Karori to the Cook straight) had a big goat cull a few years ago and stated that they were going to throw everything at it and wipe them out for once and for all. Today, one can walk the walkways on the hills or around the coastline and easily spot mobs of them. Hard not to put your imaginary cross hairs on them and work out how one would take out the whole mob.

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I have heard they are farming them out there now as they are worth a few bucks.

There's usually plenty around cross creek but it's not easy bush to get around. Otaki forks is the other area I've been and gotten goats before.

Thanks yeah i thought Corner Creek and Mukamuka Stream looked good from the map alone. Will have to check it out

This in today from Hutt Valley Deerstalkers



Hello All,

Join us for one of two hunts in the mighty Mukamuka area, primarily targeting the goat population in those catchments.

First date will be for rifle hunters on 19 - 21 May.

Second weekend will be for bow hunters on the 26 - 28 May.

We will look to spread the two dates over different areas to avoid hitting the same spots twice.


To register, please contact hvnzda.hunting@gmail.com

Cheers

Harry & Jason

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Originally Posted by ANOTHERHUNTER

I have heard they are farming them out there now as they are worth a few bucks.

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I wouldn’t call it farming, more like holding them in decent fenced paddocks till the price gets up then send em off to the works.
They shoot the coast with a chopper every year or so away from public access points

Coming over the Remutakas last sunday saw 3 or four on the top terraces of the old Muldoon corner. 4 just over the barrier about 2 mins after the summit on the Wairarapa side, around a couple of corners saw four more. They had a cull up there last year but still a few around. @frape787 if you're thinking of going into the Mukamuka feel free to pm me. I can give you some spots to check.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 308

This in today from Hutt Valley Deerstalkers



Hello All,

Join us for one of two hunts in the mighty Mukamuka area, primarily targeting the goat population in those catchments.

First date will be for rifle hunters on 19 - 21 May.

Second weekend will be for bow hunters on the 26 - 28 May.

We will look to spread the two dates over different areas to avoid hitting the same spots twice.


To register, please contact hvnzda.hunting@gmail.com

Cheers

Harry & Jason

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Just an FYI we're pushing that out to the later date (26 - 28th May) - pretty miserable low pressure system coming through this weekend.

Cheers

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Originally Posted by HarryMax

Just an FYI we're pushing that out to the later date (26 - 28th May) - pretty miserable low pressure system coming through this weekend.

Cheers

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Thanks for heads up! Will see if I can free up calendar