Thread: School me on the Ruahines

I've got the go ahead for an overnight hunt in the Southern Ruahines next weekend.
Anyone have any recommendations on huts to stay at?
The plan at the moment is to leave the Wairarapa early on Saturday morning and get up top by 1. That would give us a few hours to look at some likely spots for an evening and morning hunt.

Any huts that meet those criteria? I've spotted a few likely candidates but having never been there before maps are deceiving.
Anything to watch out for for a first timer?
Those eastern tracks look brutal.

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

if you have the gear tent on the tops mate,the weather is likely to be good for it,get away from the huts, one night is not a lot esp if your slogging up,youll likely be tired when you get up there so make the most of your time by being in the thick of the action,guarantee you'll see plenty of deer if the weather plays ball.

+1 to tenting or fly camping.

The deer are clever especially around the huts, they get a lot of pressure on the tops. You will do a lot better by putting in an extra hour or two and getting yourself away from huts.
From personal experience this summer in the Ruahine's I have had more luck spotting them right on last light rather than first thing in the morning as well.

Good thoughts. I was going to camp next to a hut anyway (too cheap) so I'll did as you suggest, thanks.
Is the Ruahines more about slip face hugging or is there good bush stalking too?
Ou'd only be confident out to 250m.

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

250 pretty short for tops hunting, prob wanna be confident at 400 really.bush is all good sidle around gullys into the heads of gullys that have a stream the deer won't be far away from the water if its hot and dry which it is.

Nice man, get up in there

Best bit is too just explore new country and can use it as a great place to learn deer behavior.

Plenty of slips you can sit on that would keep shots to 250y.

On my last trip i had 3 deer at 350y (couldn't have got any closer) and another group of 4 at 450y ( could have got to 250Y ) just for context.