Thread: Rotorua based hunting

So having lived in the South all my life looks like I will be relocating to Rotorua in a few months....

As a Mainlander born and bred I am slightly clueless as to the hunting opportunities in the area. I obviously have heard about chasing Sika in the Kaweka and that's about it! A bit of time on google has shown me that there appears to be a reasonable amount of DOC land within a few hours of Rotorua and also a fair bit of private Maori land that can be accessed (helisika, Te Urewera etc).

So my my question is, what general areas would you recommend to start poking about when I get up there? I'm happy bush stalking (cut my teeth chasing fallow around the Blue Mountains and bush stalking Fiordland valleys) but do enjoy hunting the open tops and broken country as well. Are there many options for day hunts or do most areas involve at least a weekend away?

My online reading seems to suggest every man and his dog head to Clements Mill rd or jump in a heli, guessing there's a bit more to it than that! ;-)

Not asking for anyone's spot X, just a few recommendations to get an idea of the lay of the land. Nothing like getting the boots on and exploring a new bit of country!

Many thanks!

Kaimanawa is also a good sika haunt. Do you belong to deer stalkers by chance?

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Whats bringing u to roto vegas? Id suggest Spot x book.Failing that pick one of the many doc blocks and go explore.

Originally Posted by HNTMAD

Kaimanawa is also a good sika haunt. Do you belong to deer stalkers by chance?

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Yeah @HNTMAD I do, why's that?

Had heard of sika in the kaimanawa's as well. Looking forward to a few new species to chase around the hills!

Originally Posted by Mohawk660

Whats bringing u to roto vegas? Id suggest Spot x book.Failing that pick one of the many doc blocks and go explore.

Normal story, work!

Might have to track one of those Spot X books down, had forgotten about them!

PM me when you get here mate, will show you around a few areas no drama

Plenty of options within an hour of Rotorua for day trips (Lived there for 25 years there before moving south)

General areas:

Reds – Urawera’s
Sika – Napier Taupo road area (Clements is bloody busy but still produces good numbers of animals)
Rusa – Galatea
Sambar – Matahina and surrounds

Lots of spots even closer to home than these…..where you can get a hunt in after work during the summer months.

You’ll figure it out….

Get along to the rotorua branch....there is a forum member on here that i have met twice in the kaimanawa on a club trip.....ruger270 or roger 260 k think is his handle

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Originally Posted by Gibo

PM me when you get here mate, will show you around a few areas no drama

Cheers @Gibo! Very generous offer! I will flick you a PM once settled in.

Originally Posted by Hayden C

Plenty of options within an hour of Rotorua for day trips (Lived there for 25 years there before moving south)

General areas:

Reds – Urawera’s
Sika – Napier Taupo road area (Clements is bloody busy but still produces good numbers of animals)
Rusa – Galatea
Sambar – Matahina and surrounds

Lots of spots even closer to home than these…..where you can get a hunt in after work during the summer months.

You’ll figure it out….

Cheers @Hayden C that's actually pretty handy info for someone who doesn't have a clue!

Originally Posted by Gibo

PM me when you get here mate, will show you around a few areas no drama

You are a good man Gibo. Hunty1, Gibo is part Apache. His Indian name is “walks circles at night”

Originally Posted by Rushy

You are a good man Gibo. Hunty1, Gibo is part Apache. His Indian name is “walks circles at night”

Nup, its werawhakaui

Originally Posted by Hunty1

Cheers @Gibo! Very generous offer! I will flick you a PM once settled in.

I hope you are a good hunter so you can find us some deer

Just watch that @Gibo fella

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Originally Posted by Gibo

I hope you are a good hunter so you can find us some deer

I'll try, at least I won't have to worry about finding the truck.... Sounds like you'll lead us back round to it at least!