Thread: Doc land hunting report or lack of!)

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