Thread: Doc land hunting report or lack of!)

Originally Posted by MonkeyNutz

Following on from this post, I went out for an early morning hunt to an area I have never been before. Once I got into the hunting area I set up and loaded my rifle but didn't chamber a round. Walking along a 4WD track not expecting to see anything I popped up over a small rise and on my left just of the track about 20 metres away there is a Spiker, I quickly ducked down out of sight behind a bush and proceeded to "quietly" load a bullet, unfortunately I wasn't quiet enough as I was now being watched. As I was hiding a rabbit decided to pop out on the track about 5 metres away and hop right up to me sit and look at me (probably laughing) and then turned around and hopped off again.
The deer then barked and slowly started walking off so I jumped up to take a shot but my inexperience got the better of me and I didn't take a shot.

The takeaway? Once again I'm getting that little bit closer, I learnt another lesson and it was great being in a new area and seeing plenty of sign.

keep your rifle chambered if your hunting by yourself mate,youll lose a lot of deer if you dont.

Originally Posted by Yesmate

keep your rifle chambered if your hunting by yourself mate,youll lose a lot of deer if you dont.

Yip absolutely! Funny thing is, I usually do, but for whatever reason I didn't on this occasion, as I said lesson learnt. I won't be doing that again.

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!

Originally Posted by Rusky

I struggle at this time of year to get a deer on the deck in those places you have mentioned. Late evening is your best chance but you have to be prepared to walk home in the dark.

Wait until Mid March after some rain and you'll have better success.

Good to know its not just me Rusky, Yeap at least 3 of my previous hunts I have headed for the bush knowing damn well the conditions aren't ideal, hot days, 4 inches of crunchy bone dry Rewarewa leaves on the forest floor, swirly high winds. Good reminder to revert back to basics.

Originally Posted by JesseYoung

Sometimes I hate hunting , it can be so frustrating!.
Currently living in the nightmare of a Doc land drought. Think I’m on hunt number 10 without success and I’ve been trying!
I’ve seen a lot of my local up the back of Te Puke, I’ve seen the Kaimais, I’ve hunted some new grounds in Waitomo region, and just recently spend 24 hours in National park/Ruapehu. Plenty of close encounters but for one reason or another just can’t seal the deal.
Shit I can only but keep trying!
Rant over, happy hunting out there

I'm with you on that. I just can't seem to find, see or shoot anything on my own. Sometimes you wonder if there's actually anything lurking out there at all. I'm pretty patient, but it does get a bit demoralising. There's definitely more to hunting than just walking out into a paddock and shooting some food.

Originally Posted by Mrfants

I'm with you on that. I just can't seem to find, see or shoot anything on my own. Sometimes you wonder if there's actually anything lurking out there at all. I'm pretty patient, but it does get a bit demoralising. There's definitely more to hunting than just walking out into a paddock and shooting some food.

I hear you but it's such a rush when you finally get your first bush deer. I took 2 years for mine. I kept getting closer each time. Now her I am 6 months later wondering if it will be another 18 months before the next one.
But my last hunt got me within barking distant by following advice off the forum: green bush near water on northern slopes.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

If I lived up in chch,I'd never be home.Theres so many deer within 2 to 3 hrs drive of Chch.

Originally Posted by Trout

If I lived up in chch,I'd never be home.Theres so many deer within 2 to 3 hrs drive of Chch.

That’s ironic Trout as I live just out of Christchurch and quite often lately I’ve been hunting deer down your way, although I’ve mostly been looking for Fallow and there aren’t many of those on public land near Christchurch.

Originally Posted by Sauer

That’s ironic Trout as I live just out of Christchurch and quite often lately I’ve been hunting deer down your way, although I’ve mostly been looking for Fallow and there aren’t many of those on public land near Christchurch.

For every 20 reds I shoot,there maybe only one fallow unlucky to walk pass me.More bang for yr buck shooting a big red to a small fallow I reckon.

Originally Posted by Trout

For every 20 reds I shoot,there maybe only one fallow unlucky to walk pass me.More bang for yr buck shooting a big red to a small fallow I reckon.

Just a phase my son and I were going through. We have shot plenty of reds over the years, just looking for something different to hunt. Pretty much scratched that itch now, unless we find one with a couple of big paddles on his head.

Originally Posted by Trout

If I lived up in chch,I'd never be home.Theres so many deer within 2 to 3 hrs drive of Chch.

If I had to live in Chch again I would never be home either, but that's because I hated living there for the 3 years we did.