TePuke hut

heading into the Tepuke hut for a couple of days early November. Ive never been to this area before not have I ever hunted this high in the Kaimanawas/Kawekas. Any Intel on what its like in there that time of the year would be much appreciated. Cheers.

Is an awesome spot - I spent a little over a week there a couple of years ago in November.
Thought it may have been a bit early but between 4 of us we still managed to shoot 5 deer, pretty much hunting in any direction from there.
If you get a chance head south to the Omar tops & camp at the campsite on Ngakawekaiti, a very cool campsite in great deer country.

Did a day up there from Harkness. Nice up there. We foolishly just took a cooker for a brew and lunch up there but no pots or pans. There were plenty in the Hut back down at Harkness LOL.

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Ok Thanks, It looks like a good area to sit and glass the north faces.

Fantastic place for Sika

Looking down into the collapsed beech forest faces is a rewarding way to find animals

There’s epic spots to sit and glass, stunning country

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Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Fantastic place for Sika

Looking down into the collapsed beech forest faces is a rewarding way to find animals

There’s epic spots to sit and glass, stunning country

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Yeah that's what I was hoping. With buggered hips and Knees my days of bush bashing are pretty much over. The sit and glass way of doing thing is far more attractive to me these days. Hoping that at this time of the year the Sika will be that high up.

We saw a lot of deer out in the open on our November trip, if you get good weather you'll do well.

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Originally Posted by Sika 8

We saw a lot of deer out in the open on our November trip, if you get good weather you'll do well.

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Thanks man, that's what I want to hear. I will pray to the weather gods.

Normally November 7th onwards for that area if it’s been a warm start to spring up there

Same timing for back ridge and venison tops

Super nice walk in on a fine weather day, the open tops can get hot out in the sun around mid day

The spring growth will be 100-200m below the tops by then. They follow the fresh growth as it moves up the altitudinal gradient. Plenty of glassing opportunities at Te Puke and the last hour is the most active time for them. Their appetites will have been triggered and the pregnant hinds will need to be feeding lots in preparation for December. I am going to be following you in there on the Wednesday following so looking forward to it. Good luck and hot barrels. Remember to take warm clothes as it can get bloody cold there at any time of the year, especially if you are sitting and glassing.

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Originally Posted by Ruger7mm

The spring growth will be 100-200m below the tops by then. They follow the fresh growth as it moves up the altitudinal gradient. Plenty of glassing opportunities at Te Puke and the last hour is the most active time for them. Their appetites will have been triggered and the pregnant hinds will need to be feeding lots in preparation for December. I am going to be following you in there on the Wednesday following so looking forward to it. Good luck and hot barrels. Remember to take warm clothes as it can get bloody cold there at any time of the year, especially if you are sitting and glassing.

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Yeah for us Northland boys the Kaweka tops are like sitting in the fridge. Will leave a note in the hut book for you on how we get on.

Sounds good, will flick you an update when we get out

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Originally Posted by Ruger7mm

Sounds good, will flick you an update when we get out

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Cheers, Thanks

The Omar tops to the south are definitely worth a fly camp for a night or two :)

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Originally Posted by Sika 8

The Omar tops to the south are definitely worth a fly camp for a night or two :)

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Some beaut velvetys there, fat as a fat thing they are

Weather is looking okay for your trip, good luck!

How'd you get on?