Is it still a little early to be hunting the Rivers and streams in Te Ureweras ?

Hi lads and Dougie,

I just spent the last 2 of days in the Horomanga River (Ureweras) with Mucko and his 12 year old Nephew. I thought the little bugger did dam well 3-4 hr walk in and out to the hut and 47 fringing river crossings each way.

While it was just good to be in the bush again we were a little disappointed as we had individually heard great things about the Horomanga and to be honest we didn't see anything and what little sign there was was old.

The following day I was going to change plans and move up into the bush , but we decided to come out a couple of days early as the weather was due to pack in, I reckon lots of water and river crossings don't mix.

Any advice would be helpful.

P.S Mucko sorry about my nana pace on the way out but that 19 km training run the day before wasn't my smartest move in hindsight.

I dont know the area at all but whats your elevation?
A month ago was the first sign of a spring flush inland at around 650m elevation round here. Would expect earlier in northern lats.
Higher up later lowerdown earlier. Coastal early inland late.

Did you see any tucker? As always deer will be were the food is.

Thanks Veitnam , yep there looked like a bit of tucker around. Elevation was about 300-400. Ureweras is inland. I spoke to Mucko and we think that may still have been up abit eating some of the winter food still. Will try Ureweras again in November, may have better luck then.

I used to hunt minginui a fair bit and judged my first spring hunt by the oak tree behind my old place. When the leaves were full out it was time to go.
Rang the tennant last week, there's about 3 weeks to go :thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Barefoot

I used to hunt minginui a fair bit and judged my first spring hunt by the oak tree behind my old place. When the leaves were full out it was time to go.
Rang the tennant last week, there's about 3 weeks to go :thumbsup:

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Ha ha your legend Barefoot.... I 'll be in the bush again in 3 weeks then ! You must be heading out soon for your yearly trip Barefoot?

Hey don't make it sound like I'm only let out once a year :omg: :D

The Big Annual freezer filler is in 3 weeks, funny that.
Going to check out a few spots on the way home for the future.
Will get away for a few weekend trips for next year, as as the dates get closer will let you know.

Where are you off to in 3 weeks time Barefoot?

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Originally Posted by Barefoot

Hey don't make it sound like I'm only let out once a year :omg: :D

The Big Annual freezer filler is in 3 weeks, funny that.
Going to check out a few spots on the way home for the future.
Will get away for a few weekend trips for next year, as as the dates get closer will let you know.

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Ha Ha ! yep I am a checky bugger ! Yer keep in touch about hunting in the new year. By the way those dies worked well. Thanks!

Nothing like a power cut in the middle of dinner to throw the plans for the night out :(
Anyway powers back now.
Off to a private block down Retaruke way Rushy. A few of us go down each year for a boys weekend, with some hunting thrown in.

I think we must have been affected by the same power outage. We were out for about three hours and the Missus sent me up into the attic to get down some lamps. Good luck with the hunt trip and make sure you let us know how you get on. I have so much work on at the moment I just can't get away so am living vicariously through the posts of others.

Gday Mohawk660

Havent been into midway this year but I have done alot of hunting around that general area. Unfortunatly the horomunga gets a fair bit of attention especially coming into spring. Some of the locals 4x4 in there from the other end ( okahu valley end) and spot light it. I was laughing to myself when I read your comments only because it sounds exactly like one of my trips in there with the River rising. I lost count with the river crossings . Last time I was in there I shot a stag just upstream from the hut after the rain had stopped so they are still there. Good luck and oh yea was your car ok in the carpark or did you get dropped off? Cheers Steven

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Originally Posted by Boylo

Gday Mohawk660

Havent been into midway this year but I have done alot of hunting around that general area. Unfortunatly the horomunga gets a fair bit of attention especially coming into spring. Some of the locals 4x4 in there from the other end ( okahu valley end) and spot light it. I was laughing to myself when I read your comments only because it sounds exactly like one of my trips in there with the River rising. I lost count with the river crossings . Last time I was in there I shot a stag just upstream from the hut after the rain had stopped so they are still there. Good luck and oh yea was your car ok in the carpark or did you get dropped off? Cheers Steven

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Yep we left the car in the car park and blow me down it was still there when we got back. We met a few locals in the hut that had come in on horse back and they thought we were crazy leaving our car there, that speaks volumes if the locals won't even leave there car there. Yep it was pretty busy in there bit like Queen Street (main street in Auckland). We heard there were other hunts further along the track and bumped into a car in his 4x4.... I have never been to a place so busy !

Pretty busy place aye. There is a spot just past Lake Aniwhenua that is pretty good for spring if you know where im talking about. I did alot of hunting in Minginui too , I think there is a little bit of the whirinaki that didnt get bombed with green rain that should be ok for a look.

deer are where u find them.... go out as much as u are able. u will see them.

If you're going for a hunt between Minginui and Ruatahuna - did you know DoC / AHB spread 1080 poison over 55,000 hectares there, finishing 30 August 2012? (don't want you driving all that way then finding a bl..dy 1080 sign 50m in from the track end as I did)

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Originally Posted by LegaSea

If you're going for a hunt between Minginui and Ruatahuna - did you know DoC / AHB spread 1080 poison over 55,000 hectares there, finishing 30 August 2012? (don't want you driving all that way then finding a bl..dy 1080 sign 50m in from the track end as I did)

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Yep mate . Thanksfor the heads up , I always have a look on the doc website before I go hunting.

I'm thinking about heading into Midway next week aye. Anyone been up there lately? I'm reckoning the spring flush should be going pretty strong in there by now. I hope that doesn't mean the spotlighters are going just as hard. Bit uncertain about leaving my car at the carpark as I'll be there a full 4 or 5 days, might be asking for trouble leaving it that long.

Also, what is the terrain like in there around the small creeks? Are they steep-sided and sometimes dangerous to work around or not too bad? There is a chance I'll be in there by myself and I'm wondering what the terrain is like - it looks pretty steep, I'm told you can get bluffed in there pretty easily.

Spring has sprung in the Ruahines!

Hey Philipgr, Midway has been getting hammered after dark mate. They come in from the other end and light it up all the way down to midway. I would take the old Red creek that is on the left (true right) punch your way up there and onto the ridge. Keep a eye on the slips on the way up there and I wouldnt leave the car for 4-5 days mate . There is a guy at the Whirinaki cabins ( PM me I can find his number if you like) he will drop off pick up for you so vehicle is safe also try the local farmer you might even get a ride to the carpark you never know. Good luck

I don't know the area Philip(the north island:D) but i would be lookin high if there is the option.
Locally deer have been on the tops for months and now stags are way way above bushline and hinds have vanished to give birth.

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Originally Posted by Boylo

Hey Philipgr, Midway has been getting hammered after dark mate. They come in from the other end and light it up all the way down to midway. I would take the old Red creek that is on the left (true right) punch your way up there and onto the ridge. Keep a eye on the slips on the way up there and I wouldnt leave the car for 4-5 days mate . There is a guy at the Whirinaki cabins ( PM me I can find his number if you like) he will drop off pick up for you so vehicle is safe also try the local farmer you might even get a ride to the carpark you never know. Good luck

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Hey mate, cheers for the info. It looks like I'll be going solo this week so I'm opting to go to a place I know to be on the safe side. Definitely keen to go up the Horomanga at some point though. Cheers.

Sent from my MT27i using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I don't know the area Philip(the north island:D) but i would be lookin high if there is the option.
Locally deer have been on the tops for months and now stags are way way above bushline and hinds have vanished to give birth.

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No open tops in this spot but feed will be quite plentiful on the river flats and the slips at the moment I should think.

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Horomunga gets alot of pressure this time of the year. However if you put in the effort and get up out of the main valley you will do well. Think side creaks with grassy faces well away from spotlite reach and the deer will be there this time of the year, they cant help themselves. Chance for a Rusa to. Good luck there should be plenty around.

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Originally Posted by Hayden C

Horomunga gets alot of pressure this time of the year. However if you put in the effort and get up out of the main valley you will do well. Think side creaks with grassy faces well away from spotlite reach and the deer will be there this time of the year, they cant help themselves. Chance for a Rusa to. Good luck there should be plenty around.

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Cheers for the tip Hayden :thumbsup:

No problems Phillip. Boylo’s post is a good one...you don’t have to go all the way to Midway. Check out the side creaks. I haven’t been up Red creak in years but used to frequently. There’s a nice little spot just before the climb starts to Kitawa Forks;)

I know a fair few cockys down that way if you’re really worried about your vehicle although I’ve never had any issues at the rod end. Give me a P.M if you like. Wish I could come.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I don't know the area Philip(the north island:D) but i would be lookin high if there is the option.
Locally deer have been on the tops for months and now stags are way way above bushline and hinds have vanished to give birth.

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Saw a group of ten (hinds and yearlings) down low last weekend. Hinds were just starting to beat the yearlings up

Interesting, what region.?