Thread: Ruahine loop with Tikka 284, and the cashew incident 1

Went back for another trip late Jan - this time on the Western Side. Again it was new country and a work friend got access through a farm saving a few hours of leg work. The plan was predominantly slip hunting and bush stalking in-between. We arrived late after knocking off work early and the long drive down. We met another keen hunter and shouldered packs for some bush bashing to the main DOC track and after a few hours began dropping down to the river to the fly camp site. They knew a lookout site before the final decent and soon after dropping packs a deer was spotted on a grassy clearing across the other side and feeding fast. It was getting dark and the deer half disappeared into the bush as I ranged it at 380 yards and quickly lay the 284 across my big Macpack 90l for a rest. I could just see the top of the shoulder and rushed a shot - and heard a decent thump and the deer disappeared. It was a shitty scramble down the hill and down river getting wet boots to below the slip and then and then a climb with head torches to have a look. All we got was the pleasure of stinging nettle and no deer….another 30mins upriver and we were setting up the fly and rolling out the bivvy bags. It was first night for my new Macpac Bush Cocoon and it had plenty of room inside.

Next morning we went further upriver and glassed some slips and then climbed up a ridge spooking a barking deer on the way. The weather had changed to cold and windy with the odd shower and the “guranteed” spot didn’t deliver. A bit underdressed it got too cold to wait until evening so we dropped back to an earlier slip. At 3pm a yearling wandered out about 400yards away, a bit far, so we dropped lower through the bush until we found a clear spot with the deer now about 240 TBR and much bigger in the scope. I was back up this time and after one shot the deer was standing so it got a 162eldx in the shoulder. Even this deer took some finding having to drop into the river and climb up a steep bush face to find the opening but we got the scrawny young spiker and boned out the meat.

We changed flycamo that evening and a late bush stalk didn’t give any success. The next morning we got up early and two of us dropped down to the river again. To watch some slips they had marked and it looked a great spot. Despite watching for an hour nothing appeared so we packed up for the steep climb out and only 20m of walking I looked right and saw a big hind in a tiny clearing across the river. A quick rest and at under 200yards I plugged one in the shoulder and expected it to drop. The deer turned around so I gave it another 162eldx and this time it crumpled and rolled out of sight. A few prominent cabbage trees helped the location and we found it about 20mins later and boned out the back legs and took the back steaks. The front was pretty messy and I’m not sure how it took two rounds - neither of which exited but one entry on each side where I had aimed.



We packed up camp and walked out even seeing a few deer on the track mid day eating the nice grass but too fast for shouldered rifles. The Ruahines do seem productive. I prefer the tops and bush edge but it seems most rivers have some good slips and with some patience the deer like the better feed.

Next trip I’d like to drop into Shutes hut for a fish and climb up behind for a hunt but need to build back up my leave balance…..

Most enjoyable reading, thanks.

Question regarding your scope. Is it the 3.5–10x? In your earlier piece you mentioned not being comfortable with a 400m shot, is that because of scope limitation or something else? The last couple of times I went to the Ruahines (quite a while back now) a 400m shot was about par and passing them up wasn’t really an option. I was wondering if you needed more magnification for that kind of country?

Originally Posted by Flyblown

Most enjoyable reading, thanks.

Question regarding your scope. Is it the 3.5–10x? In your earlier piece you mentioned not being comfortable with a 400m shot, is that because of scope limitation or something else? The last couple of times I went to the Ruahines (quite a while back now) a 400m shot was about par and passing them up wasn’t really an option. I was wondering if you needed more magnification for that kind of country?

Hi - yes it’s a 3-10. It’s more getting a good rest for me to keep the crosshairs from waving around when target is further away. On decent walking trips I don’t normally take a bi-pod because of weight and hassle with scrub, and just use my daypack. This method is pretty comfortable out to 300 but I can see why people buy the clip on bipods like Spartan, backlanz etc. 10x is just enough at 400yards for me….but 15 or 18 would be better. I do like the fact the vx3 is nice and light and compact. If I had unlimited funds I’d get a Swaro Z5 and custom dial. Maybe the 2.4-12 model so no mucking around with Parralax. And then next a carbon stock, rangefinder Binos……..Anyway my system works for now.

Yeah in country like that I use a sitting position bipod now. It’s really changed the game for me. Takes a little while to master how to rest the elbows - needed some yoga to get my hip tendons to do the right thing (yes really). The ongoing decay of middle-age.

Epic bro that leatherwood is preddy unforgiving i remember one night with brads, its only 200y wont take long.......

Great Reading, Thanks!

Epic reading, thanks for taking the time to share your adventures

Awesome! No cashews on this trip?

Originally Posted by Sika 8

Awesome! No cashews on this trip?

Just some chocolate covered almonds to snack this time along with the standard one square meals I survive on…..