Thread: Rangitaiki Hunting Advice

Hi guys, name's Mitch.
I'm pretty green to hunting, have been on one successful goat hunt in tangihua, and one unsuccessful sika hunt in the kaimanawas (one full day in the umukarikari area and a morning hunt off kiko rd last month. Plenty of sign but only found a sika fawn).
I was looking at hunting the rangitaiki conservation area, anyone hunted there or have any advice? the west side looks very barren, but the east looks to have some good forest. Had previously considered the pureoras, pirongia and the kaimais, but I don't hear good things about them, all have been 1080'd or have low numbers of deer. Most of my hunting will be day hunts, the mrs isn't a fan of sleeping alone. I'm a jafa who's just moved to the Waikato.
Any help much appreciated, Mitch.

Buy good binoculars, join NZDA and get your missus a sleep over friend

I've spent a good amount of time up there. Access is your main problem. Got a 4x4 or motorbike? You need one. You could swing it in a 2x4 ute, but if the roads washed out or you get in the mud, your fucked. I haven't hunted the Okoeke side, just the bush along the Lockinver boundary. There are plenty of deer in there. The bush ranges from awesome to an absolute scrub nightmare.

Thanks for the info Beavis. I don't have a 4x4 or bike, was thinking of parking near the highway and slogging it in, if that's an option. Is the Lochinver station boundary signposted and/or fenced, or do you just need to be very aware of the park boundaries? might give the okoeke valley a crack otherwise, not keen to get caught poaching! From what you've seen/shot is it mainly reds or sika in there? cheers. Hope I'm not asking too many questions

All good. It's pretty obvious where the boundary is. Slogging it in is not an option unless your training for the SAS or some shit. I couldn't think of a shittier walk. You wouldn't be in the mood to hunt by the time you got there. It wouldn't be difficult physically but it would be a mind fuck, especially when all the dudes on motorbikes and 4x4's wizz past you. Get chummy with someone who has a truck so they can drive you in. Access to the Okoeke valley is scetchy from the Rangataiki side. The track is rough as guts and changes after every rainfull. Basically you have to be prepared to do some four wheel driving. I wouldn't attempt it by myself without another truck and some bro's to help dig. You can access the Okeoke from the Napier Taupo Highway. There is some good Sika hunting in there and Reds further in the whops.