Thread: Bush hobbiting

So in the last 2-3 years I’ve made an effort to get more efficient at bush hunting.
It opens up a lot more options as I have been struggling to get out for evening and early morning hunts as have a toddler at home. It’s also a skill that I wanted to improve at. Here’s some results from this year, I mostly hunt alone so ave pics sorry and often forget to take them. 20+ deer bush hunted this year so far so am pretty happy.
All but the little pigs and the ram were southern Ruahines less than 40min drive from home.
It’s a frustrating game the old bush hunting and you really have to be dialed in. Some days it seems too easy and others can do your head in. It’s fair to say I’ve learnt a lot and will no doubt learn a whole lot more.
Sorry about all the photos of just dead animals, I’m too bloody lazy and forgetful to take any on the timer or scenic pics.

Good on you bud.it feels great when it works.your freezer will be looking healthy and the friends n family happy and well fed too.

Good stuff - That ram is pretty cool!

I tried bush hunting heaps years ago, had some very limited success but it just didn't spin my wheels. Since using dog though it's my absolute favorite thing to do by a long shot

thanks for the photos cant help but notice some of that bush looking really chewed out - but makes bush stalking a bit easier - a tip when bush hunting - if you find your mind wandering and not concentrating on listening scanning - sit down for 10 minutes - think about something else and when ready to focus again getup and go again - really hard to concentrate for hours on end - worked for me and we were doing it day in day out

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

thanks for the photos cant help but notice some of that bush looking really chewed out - but makes bush stalking a bit easier - a tip when bush hunting - if you find your mind wandering and not concentrating on listening scanning - sit down for 10 minutes - think about something else and when ready to focus again getup and go again - really hard to concentrate for hours on end - worked for me and we were doing it day in day out

Yeah the bush is quite chewed out in a few places, as you say makes for easier stalking tho. I'll often stop for 10-15 minutes sometimes more and chill/read a book for a bit if i have the time, definitely helps out a lot with the concentration fade and is quite pleasant to just be in the bush relaxing to be honest.

Short of tops in my area its all I know love it

Great job mate - that's an excellent number. As someone still learning / teaching myself with hunting (all bush hunting) getting goats has been easy, working on learning better habits with deer can have good days and hard days haha.

That's awesome, 20+ deer is real good going, I'd love to get better at bush stalking as it seems to be the must thrilling kind of hunting.
That ram is super cool!

Wow, awesome effort. It's super rewarding isnt' it. It appears there is some nice hunting terrain and good animal numbers in the Ruahines? Want to give it a go if I get down that way. Just hard to drive past the Kawekas...

if you want nice bush to hunt Te Urewera has some cracker country- especially some of the high mountain beech country ( some call it goblin forest ) good roar country

I grew up only having bush hunting as an option. I quite like the challenge that comes with it compared to open country where marksmanship is just if not more important than stalking skill.

Well done that man

Originally Posted by Snoppernator

Wow, awesome effort. It's super rewarding isnt' it. It appears there is some nice hunting terrain and good animal numbers in the Ruahines? Want to give it a go if I get down that way. Just hard to drive past the Kawekas...

Ive found its a bit of a juggling act between finding areas where the deer are hanging out and huntable areas ie terrain and how thick the bush is. Its taken me quite a bit of scouting and checking out areas to find what suits but is starting to pay off.

Originally Posted by RUMPY

I grew up only having bush hunting as an option. I quite like the challenge that comes with it compared to open country where marksmanship is just if not more important than stalking skill.

For sure, it opens up a whole lot more options too, much nicer in the bush when its windy or wet!