Thread: Tongariro National Park

Hi there has anyone got experience hunting out
of Mangawhero Campsite? Just after what to expect in the way of the bush and if bush stalking or watching clearings is the way to go?
Cheers team

Spent a few mornings/evenings sitting in the scrub in the middle of the tussock valley above the campsite. The biggest issue I had was the deer I did see were well outside my shooting distance limits

Did they seem to know where to pop out to avoid being in your rang? I'm planning on spending the first night closer to the camp site then moving closer to where I see them the next day

Be mindful of the new cycle track that runs up towards maunga up the guts and on eastern side of bottom flats. In this nor east I'd use the track to get up that eastern side then hunt up into the northern corners with good wind, picking they'll be in the lee outve the wind in and around the edges. Been a lot of activity up there so deer will definitely be on point

Originally Posted by JWFB

Be mindful of the new cycle track that runs up towards maunga up the guts and on eastern side of bottom flats. In this nor east I'd use the track to get up that eastern side then hunt up into the northern corners with good wind, picking they'll be in the lee outve the wind in and around the edges. Been a lot of activity up there so deer will definitely be on point

Cheers for that didn't think to check for bike tracks. Is this quite a busy spot?
As long as the deer give me enough time to shoot should be good haha

be ready - deer will not give you time generally to load - I cringe the way hunters on these TV shows carry on when shooting - one wonders how many simply get away because they stuff around so much trying to get a camera shot - they very lucky many are at distance and do give them time - deer in the bush do not give you time - I carry my rifle ready to go with bolt up and right hand on pistol grip - left hand on forend always have when bush stalking and the area looks like it could produce a deer - quite often you have seconds

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

be ready - deer will not give you time generally to load - I cringe the way hunters on these TV shows carry on when shooting - one wonders how many simply get away because they stuff around so much trying to get a camera shot - they very lucky many are at distance and do give them time - deer in the bush do not give you time - I carry my rifle ready to go with bolt up and right hand on pistol grip - left hand on forend always have when bush stalking and the area looks like it could produce a deer - quite often you have seconds

It dosnt make for very good tv if they dont catch it on camera tho.

Preddy sure getting it on film would be the 1st job of shooting a hunting tv show

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Looking at spending 5 days down there going to start off watching the clearings and if that is uneventful will give bush stalking a crack.

It does seem like they piss around a bit on the TV shows only if it was as easy as they make it with there edits

yes they are making a show but does not help ones stress level watching it and internally screaming for the love of !! shoot the bloody thing

I used to live up there and I think there's a bit up from the camp that's closed to hunting as it supplies water to Ohakune. Heaps of clearings and old logging tracks West of the camp.