Thread: Places for deer North Island?

Hi all

I've yet to secure my first deer and am dying to bag one.
Without stepping on anyone's toes with hunting areas and the likes, where are the better blocks to hunt for them? I'm in New Plymouth but don't mind travelling hours for hunting.
I've heard good things about the Ruahine's and the Whanganui blocks but what do you guys know?
Any suggestions and comments welcome.

Cheers

Spot-x Hunting 2nd addition would be a good place to start ,well worth the money.

Agree with Chris on that one. Mate you don't need to travel far, check out your area you may be surprised wot you find.

I haven't hunted either but I'd say they're both good places to start. Don't be afraid to pick a hut that is quite a popular hunting spot then go for a walk. Worry about discovering secret spots later on. When you first start out, try to cover a good distance, but do this by going for longer (timewise) not quicker. If you do this you're bound to spook a deer though it may still take you a while to shoot one, you will learn quickly because of the encounters you have. I couldn't tell you the name of a single hut in either park so I'm no help but if you talk to enough hunters that know those areas you'll get an idea of the popular huts and these are usually so well known already that you don't need to marry the hunters daughter to find out about them. PS Don't give up on a place after one hunt, its better to learn one area well than 10 areas poorly. Hot barrels.

Originally Posted by phillipgr

I haven't hunted either but I'd say they're both good places to start. Don't be afraid to pick a hut that is quite a popular hunting spot then go for a walk. Worry about discovering secret spots later on. When you first start out, try to cover a good distance, but do this by going for longer (timewise) not quicker. If you do this you're bound to spook a deer though it may still take you a while to shoot one, you will learn quickly because of the encounters you have. I couldn't tell you the name of a single hut in either park so I'm no help but if you talk to enough hunters that know those areas you'll get an idea of the popular huts and these are usually so well known already that you don't need to marry the hunters daughter to find out about them. PS Don't give up on a place after one hunt, its better to learn one area well than 10 areas poorly. Hot barrels.

Cheers man! Yeah you're right with getting to know an area well before moving on to somewhere else, good things do take time! As for marrying the hunters daughter...well the guy I go hunting with I'm already dating his daughter, so I think I have that covered haha

Originally Posted by nz_hunter

Cheers man! Yeah you're right with getting to know an area well before moving on to somewhere else, good things do take time! As for marrying the hunters daughter...well the guy I go hunting with I'm already dating his daughter, so I think I have that covered haha

Haha boy you better treat her well! Look forward to hearing how you get on. Give me a PM if you want to talk, I know what its like starting out, I'm still relatively new to it myself.

Originally Posted by phillipgr

Haha boy you better treat her well! Look forward to hearing how you get on. Give me a PM if you want to talk, I know what its like starting out, I'm still relatively new to it myself.

I went out goat hunting with yesterday, I'm now well aware that he's a good shot. One to be aware of! haha

Mate isn't it Fallow City on the Taranaki??

From where you are (as you say happy to drive) there is National park, Ruahine, Tararua and that is prob the bigger blocks, As has been said, check an area if there is sign then stick at it.

Head down to Waitotara and go to the end of Waitotara Valley Rd and take the DOC track to Trains hut. I have not been there yet but have heard from quite a few guys that have. Its a really nice flat walk in. plenty of goats in there and deer are around too. leave NP early in the morning, the walk into the hut takes up to 6hrs I think?. stay the night in the hut, doing some hunting from the hut the next morning then head home at lunchtime.
Would be a good option to get use to the bush

Originally Posted by HNTMAD

Mate isn't it Fallow City on the Taranaki??

From where you are (as you say happy to drive) there is National park, Ruahine, Tararua and that is prob the bigger blocks, As has been said, check an area if there is sign then stick at it.

Not that I'm aware of! I've been in the bush a lot and am always looking for sign but see nothing. All the people I've talked to have told me to head out of town.
Cheers!

Originally Posted by dave-m

Head down to Waitotara and go to the end of Waitotara Valley Rd and take the DOC track to Trains hut. I have not been there yet but have heard from quite a few guys that have. Its a really nice flat walk in. plenty of goats in there and deer are around too. leave NP early in the morning, the walk into the hut takes up to 6hrs I think?. stay the night in the hut, doing some hunting from the hut the next morning then head home at lunchtime.
Would be a good option to get use to the bush

Thanks a lot Dave! I will definitely look at going down there some time soon, not too far to travel at all.
Really appreciate the comment man, thanks a lot.
Cheers!