Thread: Doc land hunting report or lack of!)

I recall a school camp to Mayor island, where we had the somewhat well known Bill Hohepa accompany us offering his snapper secrets. He had this theory that if you sit there anxiously waiting for a bite you'll never catch anything - it's not until you relax and take the focus off catching something that you'll have success.

I've found something similar to happen after a bit of a hunting drought - the more you are desperate for success, sometimes it seems even harder to achieve. Funnily enough, even during a hunt (in the bush especially), you'll start the day with a razor sharp focus on spotting an animal, but not until the mind starts to wander a little that an animal presents itself.

As an aside, I was in Nat Park a couple days ago and it was harder hunting than expected. Quite a lot of human activity by the looks over the break. Nearly pulled the trigger on a distant red, but after I found a more stable rest, the opportunity was gone! Still great to be out there.

Originally Posted by earplay

I recall a school camp to Mayor island, where we had the somewhat well known Bill Hohepa accompany us offering his snapper secrets. He had this theory that if you sit there anxiously waiting for a bite you'll never catch anything - it's not until you relax and take the focus off catching something that you'll have success.

I've found something similar to happen after a bit of a hunting drought - the more you are desperate for success, sometimes it seems even harder to achieve. Funnily enough, even during a hunt (in the bush especially), you'll start the day with a razor sharp focus on spotting an animal, but not until the mind starts to wander a little that an animal presents itself.

As an aside, I was in Nat Park a couple days ago and it was harder hunting than expected. Quite a lot of human activity by the looks over the break. Nearly pulled the trigger on a distant red, but after I found a more stable rest, the opportunity was gone! Still great to be out there.

That's a good point worth elaborating on. If you get through the bush like a coiled tiger animals will sense it, ya gotta move relaxed like you're not hungry. Face and hand movements stick out like dogs balls in the bush and open country. Even more important in open country, and there watch you silhouette, there is nothing more distinctive than the upright human form - can be seen for miles

Originally Posted by Tentman

That's a good point worth elaborating on. If you get through the bush like a coiled tiger animals will sense it, ya gotta move relaxed like you're not hungry. Face and hand movements stick out like dogs balls in the bush and open country. Even more important in open country, and there watch you silhouette, there is nothing more distinctive than the upright human form - can be seen for miles

There is also that almost ‘universal to all mammals’ reaction to seeing something, dogs, cats etc do it and humans do too, it’s exaggerated when we are really concentrating on trying to get something and I think prey animals are tuned into this. They know when ears prick up or eyes lock on.

If you have a strong emotional response when you do see a deer, and your body twitches accordingly, the deer will know you have seen it and be gone. I think this is why it can often be easier to get within 15m of a deer that you haven’t seen than it is to get within 50m of a deer that you’re aware of.

Originally Posted by longshot

There is also that almost ‘universal to all mammals’ reaction to seeing something, dogs, cats etc do it and humans do too, it’s exaggerated when we are really concentrating on trying to get something and I think prey animals are tuned into this. They know when ears prick up or eyes lock on.

If you have a strong emotional response when you do see a deer, and your body twitches accordingly, the deer will know you have seen it and be gone. I think this is why it can often be easier to get within 15m of a deer that you haven’t seen than it is to get within 50m of a deer that you’re aware of.

Observation -- If the animal is used to the sound of a vehicle & human always dressed in blue overalls ie the cocky, they take no notice. Sounds silly but one goes into stalk mode, tring to creep up on a cat or dog, suspicion is instant they sense it, and its game time, same with game. Got a cat that loves hide & seek, he will stork me, rush up & a tackle, hard case.

Originally Posted by earplay

I recall a school camp to Mayor island, where we had the somewhat well known Bill Hohepa accompany us offering his snapper secrets. He had this theory that if you sit there anxiously waiting for a bite you'll never catch anything - it's not until you relax and take the focus off catching something that you'll have success.

I've found something similar to happen after a bit of a hunting drought - the more you are desperate for success, sometimes it seems even harder to achieve. Funnily enough, even during a hunt (in the bush especially), you'll start the day with a razor sharp focus on spotting an animal, but not until the mind starts to wander a little that an animal presents itself.

As an aside, I was in Nat Park a couple days ago and it was harder hunting than expected. Quite a lot of human activity by the looks over the break. Nearly pulled the trigger on a distant red, but after I found a more stable rest, the opportunity was gone! Still great to be out there.

well said mate!