2nd hunt for the year. Waikaia.

It was forecast for a good day today 22deg in Waikaia and after all the rain we have had lately it was definitely the day for a hunt.
Block 5 one of my preferred blocks in the forest was the block we decided to hunt after much debate, cross the river or keep the feet dry straight up, dry feet was the deciding factor.
We had seen 2 deer on the bush edge on the way in and countless hares and we hit half a dozen birds on the road to not sure what the go was there, parked at the river we had our gear on and this is when we changed our mind and jumped back in the truck and parked it on block 5 side, we seen another yearling on the road just before we parked too, was looking like a good day.

I have a spot that i like to check on B5, i have never shot a deer on it but even so i know it is a great spot given every other time i go to it i am greeted by someone elses carcasses, today though was my day i snuck in above the clearing and dropped down to the grassy openings and the hound starts winding, creeping forward all of a sudden there is a silly yearling eyeballing me from 30m he is lowered with a single shot to the base of the neck, then all of a sudden Scotty opens up from the side of me at another 2 that are behind some scrub, unfortunately he doesn't connect and they both scarper.
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/...psc8189466.jpg
We put the dog on the trail of the 2 other deer but they have long gone so we carry on up a leading ridge and after a while i see another 2 deer sneaking off up the ridge never to be seen again. At some point Scotty and i separate and take a ridge each but theres nothing happening and i start heading back to where the rino says he is, not far down his ridge i put another deer up and it gaps it to the creek below and disappears. After this we just stalk back down to the bottom with no more deer seen.
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/...psf7708f2e.jpg
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0593b21e.jpghttp://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4d02e967.jpg
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/...psa4b558ef.jpg
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/...ps29d4d03f.jpg
Always good to get back to the truck and take some gear off, had a lie in the sun with the hound while we waited for Scotty to get back.
Scarpas went well but still need some breaking in.

Cheers men
Mal

Well done Mal

:thumbsup:

Nice one.

awesome job Mal, I've never had all that much luck in block 5, I prefer to hunt block 1 or 4. Sounds like there are plenty of animals getting around at the moment. the river would have been running a bit high for a crossing, was that the deciding factor?

nice going Mal. Every time you post a hunt story from there it tears at my heart. must get down for a hunt one day

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lostlegend

awesome job Mal, I've never had all that much luck in block 5, I prefer to hunt block 1 or 4. Sounds like there are plenty of animals getting around at the moment. the river would have been running a bit high for a crossing, was that the deciding factor?

---

Ive never had much time for 1 or 4 have always had most success in 3 or 5.
River was a bit higher than the normal and was the deciding factor as i didnt wnt to break my new boots in when they were wet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sako75

nice going Mal. Every time you post a hunt story from there it tears at my heart. must get down for a hunt one day

---

Its a fantastic place, more so if it has family history!

I normally take my boots off when crossing the river, nothing quite like putting nice warm dry boots on after crossing that cold river. will have to head over and see if I can knock over a silly yearling as soon as I finish off that roaring horn I got from you. will post a pic of the finished product when I'm done.

Yeah man be good to see what you have done with it and yeah plenty of silly yearling running about there at the mo go get one.

good work:cool:

Nice animal MH, your dog looks the bizz too,

Nice job, dog looks staunch!

Great place to walk around, even better when a load to carry out.

River a pain the Arse! Have had last 2 trips in here not being bable to cross, once on the way in and once on the way out. The river track is bloody treacherous. DOC could do a better job of clearing the windfalls as well, the lower parts of tracks get lots of use from day trippers and campers.

Gripe over!!!

Cheers for the report

D

There is a bridge isnt there guys?

Yep

Bridge from the true left allows access to block 1 and 2 on the true right. The track is an arse so we try and cross further up, all good till it rains and river comes up. Crossing river probably saves 20-30 minutes walk.

Cheers

D

20-30 mins extra walk isn't a reason not to go though:) Take your Silky Saw and chop a few branches each time. That is what I did last time...

Extra walk doesn't put us off, we drive 3 hours to get there..lol.

You will have more luck with a chainsaw than a silky...some decent trees blew over before Labour Weekend!

Bit like the Bluies, seen some big trees down with Wind.

Cheers

D