Thread: Woodhill Ballot.

Ok guys. The lease has been negotiated and we are all set to go for the 2018 Ballot.

Details will be up on our website in the next couple of days.

New for 2018 is that the restriction on suppressed rifles will be lifted so you wont have to take your suppressor off and re-sight your rifle in.

If you intend applying for a ballot, make sure you get your entry in promptly and CHECK your details before sending it. With the time delay of the ballot being opened it limits the time we have to process applications so please ensure your details and contact numbers etc are correct.

Cheers...........
Allgood

I’ve chucked my name in again, hoping to get a earlier day this year

How many other hunters are allowed if successful per application?

How many places on the ballot vs typical number of applicants? I feel this one has just become a lottery with very low odds.

Originally Posted by Rusky

How many other hunters are allowed if successful per application?

If you are successful in getting a ballot you are allowed to take 2 hunters with you on your block if you choose to.

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

How many places on the ballot vs typical number of applicants? I feel this one has just become a lottery with very low odds.

There are 30 hunting days and 9 blocks normally available each day. That equals 270 hunting days. Ballot applications, going on past years are normally between 900 and 1200.

That makes the odds of being successful somewhere between one in 3.5 and one in 4 if my maths are correct. I guess if you dont like those odds and dont apply, you will decrease the odds by between one 900th and one 1200th.............

Originally Posted by Allgood

Ok guys. The lease has been negotiated and we are all set to go for the 2018 Ballot.

Details will be up on our website in the next couple of days.

New for 2018 is that the restriction on suppressed rifles will be lifted so you wont have to take your suppressor off and re-sight your rifle in.

If you intend applying for a ballot, make sure you get your entry in promptly and CHECK your details before sending it. With the time delay of the ballot being opened it limits the time we have to process applications so please ensure your details and contact numbers etc are correct.

Cheers...........
Allgood

Can you give a specific date applications open?

Can you put a link up to your website once all up and done please?never applied before but might be a good chance for the young fella to see some deer in the wild.

Allgood. Any good heads come out of these areas over last few years? Looking at the website the last good bucks seem to date back to early 2000. Just wondering if all the hunting pressure from neighboring private land owners and this ballot don't allow many bucks from reaching there full potential?

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

How many places on the ballot vs typical number of applicants? I feel this one has just become a lottery with very low odds.

I've entered 4 times over the years and got a block once.
Also had 3 other mates win and take me along, so 4 hunting days in 12 years isn't too bad.

Originally Posted by The bomb

Can you put a link up to your website once all up and done please?never applied before but might be a good chance for the young fella to see some deer in the wild.

WoodHill Fallow Deer

Ballot is now open.

Originally Posted by Rusky

Allgood. Any good heads come out of these areas over last few years? Looking at the website the last good bucks seem to date back to early 2000. Just wondering if all the hunting pressure from neighboring private land owners and this ballot don't allow many bucks from reaching there full potential?

There are still a few good heads in Woodhill despite the hunting pressure. During our pre season scouting and when we put the signs etc out we do see some good heads...........but they are rarely shot. Main reason is that most of the hunters during the ballot hunt their blocks too fast. It is common for our patrols to find hunters at the end of their blocks by about 10am having 'hunted' the whole area and not been successful. Those who do manage to get Bucks are normally experienced hunters who spend a disproportionate time looking instead of walking lol.

The food resources do not lend themselves to trophy heads however as pine forests are lacking in the quality of feed. Couple that with the animals the surrounding landowners take and the incessant poaching in the forest and the chances of a 'trophy' diminish considerably. But there are still bucks to be had.

Originally Posted by Allgood

There are 30 hunting days and 9 blocks normally available each day. That equals 270 hunting days. Ballot applications, going on past years are normally between 900 and 1200.

That makes the odds of being successful somewhere between one in 3.5 and one in 4 if my maths are correct. I guess if you dont like those odds and dont apply, you will decrease the odds by between one 900th and one 1200th.............

Wow so that means I have been on the odds. 1 out of 4 years but the fees have gone WAY up. Out of curiosity where does the money go? That's in the order of $60,000 each year.

I think the fees are pretty good. Its only $15 to enter the ballot.... thats pretty cheap. and if you are successful $160 split 3 ways is not to steep either. Thats a chance to shoot 3 deer for $175.

Its a bloody good day out, the security guys are all volunteers, they put in a lot of time and effort and may only get a bit of petrol money out of it if that. I am only guessing. I think its better than the money you have to pay to go in to Kaiangaroa or the likes.

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

Wow so that means I have been on the odds. 1 out of 4 years but the fees have gone WAY up. Out of curiosity where does the money go? That's in the order of $60,000 each year.

I'd suggest most of it goes to the landowners.