Thread: North Arm stories...anyone got any experiences to tell as I plan another trip...

Thanks 7mmwsm, that's good intel....."old GUY" go tell Willie Nelson that...lol..lol...

What NO HANDRAILS....

Originally Posted by BruceY

Sika 8...everything goes up, smokin [btw I don't anymore] drinkin, wild wimmen....the cost now is less relevant to this old mutt....hunting with grandsons and mates is the whole point...oooh that plus the elusive 8 pointer...lol....lol...

Thats true!

I'm just repeating what the pilot told me on my last flight 3 weeks ago.

Originally Posted by Sika 8

Haven't been there but here's my advice - Go this month!

Helisika prices are going up 20% across the board at the end of this month.

website updated just now, took it from manageable but doable for a single person trip to unaffordable for the high kawekas

Originally Posted by striker

website updated just now, took it from manageable but doable for a single person trip to unaffordable for the high kawekas

Yep, takes the fun out of it for sure!

Originally Posted by BruceY

What NO HANDRAILS....

Good hunting all through there Bruce. Hit me up for a brew or a cuppa before you go and I'll point out a few spots on the map for ya

Usually a few bone heads floating around too

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk

Lovely block. There is a flat knob in the middle of the valley not far down stream from the hut (before you get to Blue Duck). If you sit up there in the evening you will see the sika ghost out of the scrub below the native. It can be long shooting from there but you can make a plan once you know where they are. Nice easy walking. I saw a very good 8 in there when I flew over one winter. Circled around him as he bounded his way through the snow back to the bush.

Originally Posted by striker

website updated just now, took it from manageable but doable for a single person trip to unaffordable for the high kawekas

@striker

Got a link to the new prices, please? Had a look at their website and I could only find the 2023_24 price list, not 2024_25?

@Maxx
They have updated the individual hut page prices.
Only seen the changes as I went to book for a july trip.

Went there a few years ago during the big snow storm that crushed all the trees.
First and last time flying helisika. They had zero consideration for timings when it came to the pick up, several hours late without an attempt to explain anything.
Made to feel like a privilege to pay them money.
Plenty of great hunting in the public areas.

How much now to Northern arm?

Was there a few months ago. Woken up at 3am to deer right outside the hut. Heaps of sign everywhere. Saying that I’m done flying with them

I don't really get all the negativity around helisika?

Have heard stories about dropping multiple parties at the same LZ but surely the booking system in the Kawekas has put that to bed?

The Kaimanawa LZ's can't be booked so parties should be aware sharing hunting areas is possible, and all the private stuff is 1 party at a time.

Prices always go up & there aren't to many options at the moment, Personally I have had great service from them.

I spent alot with them and will probably continue to do so.... However. I was just doing some pricing in the south island and there was alot more reasonable prices for flying time. I think lack of competition may be the problem..
As for quality of business, they have been OK. We did get forgotten the roar before last. Luckily we had an inreach. The missus was told, no they are out to which she replied.. No they are sitting on the helipad lol.

I find that they are a bit like bus drivers with little in the way of block fly overs or anything. These are common with other companies I use.