Thread: Thunderbolt Tops

Hi guys,
Im considering having a long weekend up in thunderbolt tops, just wondering if any of you have experience with what its like up there since its a long way to walk to find out its rubbish. Just stuff like if theres any animals inn there and what the water situation is like (should i carry all the water Ill need for a few days or are there some easy places to drop down into a small stream) Any help would be much appreciated.

No deer up there.

No water, no deer

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Originally Posted by matai

No water, no deer

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Ah @matai. I know where you hunt.

Just had a look at some old photos. The last time I was up there was just over 4 years ago. Can't actually remember much about the water supply but I'm sure I didn't carry a lot up there.

The tops have not been hunting that well this year due to a lack of rain. The Ngaruroro in November was at the level it should be at in February (i.e. low). Since the beginning of the year I have spent a bit of time on the tops on both sides (Kawekas and Kaimanawas) and it has been tough hunting. I had 5 days in the Kawekas last week and saw only a handful of animals and only one of those was above 1200m asl. The Thunderbolt area has also been getting a bit of pressure after people like the Clarke Boys started posting you tube videos hunting there, although the landing spot is at the north end of the Te Hiwiokaitrui ridge. Cool area though and there is water up there, but sometimes you need to drop down a bit. It is also a tough walk. You walk over the urchin and then drop back into the Waipakihi before climbing up the thunderbolt track. That second uphill leg is tough, you climb about 500m over about 1.5km.

Thanks alot guys looks like Ill be trying elsewhere.

@Skinny White Boy. I know the replies all seemed a bit negative (some tongue in cheek) but I will be up there this weekend, weather permitting, so will give you a fairer report after that.

Originally Posted by Skinny White Boy

Hi guys,
Im considering having a long weekend up in thunderbolt tops, just wondering if any of you have experience with what its like up there since its a long way to walk to find out its rubbish. Just stuff like if theres any animals inn there and what the water situation is like (should i carry all the water Ill need for a few days or are there some easy places to drop down into a small stream) Any help would be much appreciated.

Just go hunt it, be an adventure for sure, odds are you will hunt it differently to someone else and as a result you will see things they wont, including deer.
Make up your own mind about the areas value,
Explore the deers habitat and make some flycamp sites.

The highest areas wont be producing much food or shade at the moment and as a result the deer will be around the scrub/bushline down lower, - they need the water from those creeks just as much as we do, enjoy the fact that you wont be cold, you wont shiver at night, and the hand numbing wind wont be cutting through your jacket

But most of all have fun and be safe

two trips this month saw 7 deer shot one the others where to far for recovery before the haul out. id recommend 3 day minimum

@Skinny White Boy a bit of info here FishnHunt - New Zealands Famous Hunting and Fishing Forum Since 1995 - A guide to the Thunderbolt

Originally Posted by stug

@Skinny White Boy a bit of info here FishnHunt - New Zealands Famous Hunting and Fishing Forum Since 1995 - A guide to the Thunderbolt

Cheers for that. Really helpful

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Boy shed be hot up there right now......

I bumped into one dude heading into there many years ago, I shot a 4 pointer about halfway along the Urchin tops track and he didnt get anything.

Hunt your feet first.

Just spent 3 days in there. Urchin-Waipakahi-Thunderbolt-Motutere-Urchin.
I wasn't hunting but had a look on the tops in the evening for no result. Put one up on the river flats and all the sign seemed to be from the river to a third of the way up.
Beautiful country.

The bottom picture is of the "shoes" I wore from the Waipakahi out over the Urchin to the car park. They are usually my camp shoes but decided to try them on the walk out as it was so hot.
They weigh 188 grams each and were fine for walking on the tracks, even the steep stuff, but useless for sidling. I was carrying a 14kg pack.