Thread: Whakatipu Whitetail

I'm heading to Queenstown in May this year and id love to see a White Tail. I know this herd (on public land) is very fragile and in low numbers so i'm not really interested in shooting any, would just love to see and photograph and main land White Tail. I will be hunting Chamois though as well. I honestly dont know where to start but if I had to guess id try near the boundary of the Doc to Private Land in the Dart Valley. I guess i could also pop into the local Doc office to ask. I'm not after any one's spot X, but if anyone could put me in the right direction that would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

They don’t allow hunting but if you are just keen to photograph you could contact https://paradisetrust.nz/ and see if you can have a look round with a camera. Saw a few whitetail when we stayed there last Easter.

Park at Chinamen's bluff early in the morning.Walk up the Dart river about 10ks,you might stumble on one.Buitifull part of the country down there.

Thankyou Trout, thats what i'm after...

Can you drive up to Chinamans Bluff Trout?

Originally Posted by avon_7

Can you drive up to Chinamans Bluff Trout?

Yep and if you head up on first light you will be able to take pictures of them on the side of the road.
Just don't wave a rifle around as the locals are very protective of that herd and it is private property on the way to Chinamans

About 20yrs ago 12ks up the river i shot a white tail buck,number 38 in NZ records at the time.End of May,doc permit an all.I didnt know at the time until 2weeks later Kerry at Pleasant Point told me it was a top trophy.I didnt know much at the time,it was just another deer swimming across the river.About a k befor i seen him,i would walk slowly 10 mtrs and stop,turn slowly 360 degrees and walk another 10 mtrs turn and look around,repeat this for a hr or so.The forest was so still and quiet except for a few birds singing away.I walked right above him,he took off into the river at speed.He didnt know it but i shot hunreds of roos on the hopp with the mozzy 308,so he was a big easy target as he climbed out of the river 70yds away.Bang flop half of him still in the river,i climb down the bank thru the bush,crossed the rivers freezing water and walked up to him.Hmm he s not a red,bloody whitetail.Floated him across the river,cut his head off,my knife couldnt cut thru his 2 inch thick winter coat.Sand flys were eating me,so rolled him under the back and covered him up.Climbed up the bank to the track,pulled a hamstring,fk it.So i hobbled 12 ks slowly back to the truck several hours later and i was buggerd,could hardly walk.I took the next day off work.Ge i got carryed away here with a story.Never mnd, give you guys something to read.

That's Epic!

I was a fit young 50 then,not so much now.lols

I seem to remember a report you did on it on the old forum

Originally Posted by whanahuia

I seem to remember a report you did on it on the old forum

Ok il complete the story with a photo.

Bloody awesome thank-you for the story and the motivation.

Originally Posted by Trout

Ok il complete the story with a photo.
Attachment 240944

Pretty sure you got a nice Red and maybe a Fallow as well ? @Trout

Ok Jeff just for you,my 5 sons.

Originally Posted by Trout

Ok il complete the story with a photo.
Attachment 24094

Wow, I did not know NZ has whitetail also. :O . So Red, Fallow, Elk/Wapiti, Whitetail, Any other deer? Any Axis or Muntjac?

Nice trophy Trout