Thread: Where would you "Go Bush" on South Island

Hello everyone,

2 months to go now before my epic solo bowhunting and fishing trip to your amazing South Island, flights booked, 4wd hire booked, 2 nights in Christchurch hotel at start and then freedom to go where ever. My camping gear is just about finalised, all
cleaned or new to get through bio security, my recurve bow is tuned and arrow recipe finalised and my basic fishing gear is ready.
The hardest part of organising the whole trip is deciding on a rough itinerary, there is so many amazing places I could go, but I know that trying to do too much could be detrimental to my experience. I'll be in Country for 4 weeks from 9th February until 9th March and as part of the trip I would like to "Go Bush" for at least 10 days away from the car and roads. I've found in the past by spending this amount of time, or more, in one locality you can really get to know a place, almost feel the spirit of the land. My favourite terrain is wooded hills where the trees reach up to the ridges, so foothills I guess rather than open alpine tops. I'm looking for an area like that which contains Goats and pigs, maybe deer, but also trout streams.
So my question is if you had 10 to 14 days spare to spend in one location and I don't mind a long walk in, what area would you go to. I'm not after exact locations of animals, finding them is all part of it, but, of course 1080 would have to be avoided.
I have a few places in mind, from my hours of flying over with Google earth.
I should say that I have purchased a Garmin Inreach mini 2 as well as a PLB, I have good kit and I am experienced in backcountry trekking in the UK and Norway, it's the towns and cities I have trouble in.

Many thanks,

Nick

Stewart Island be high on my list
Ul the Eglington another

West coast for bush country east coast for open country

As Padox said.

Or a compromise of right in the middle, the any of the Lake Sumner, St James, Nelson Lakes areas would both challenge and thrill ya I'd say

"My favourite terrain is wooded hills where the trees reach up to the ridges" I think you have a different concept than the NZ reality.

Lewis Pass/Lake Sumner. Good deer numbers and great fishing.

Orane Park: just outside of Christchurch,good animal numbers,easy country hard to get lost.

I’m assuming you mean orana wild life park, the free range zoo outside of Christchurch? Lol

Willow bank might be a better choice if he wants to do some fishing?

Ok, you have the right idea of spending more time in one spot than trying to cover too many places. Im a bow hunter too and my advice is concentrate on the west coast as you will have more variety and there is more animals in the bush and scrub which makes it a bit easier to get closer. Whats the exact dates you are here? 2 months is borderline if you want a set on antlers too take home, but its a good time for Chamois and Tahr hunting.

I reckon somewhere around the Haupiri area. Fishing and hunting and good camp spots.

Haast all day long.no goats but good numbers of deer and trout. Further north has goats...hope you like sandflies.start building up bodies viatims to combat them.lots of vegimite or Marmite works.

I think goats would be a good place for this guy to start, especially with a bow. As we all know they are much more willing to be shot than deer. Getting your first animal down is a huge confidence boost. Backstraps from a young goat can be cooked hot/fast in a pan just like venison.

Originally Posted by Sharki

Stewart Island be high on my list
Ul the Eglington another

If you want to catch trout sure the Eglinton is great.

Deer numbers. God no! Not worth the effort