Thread: Pheasants in BOP or Rotorua area?

I might be driving up to whakatane before end of season, so was wondering if worth going for a hunt while up there.

But I don't know the area at all so anybody got any tips on where to go for a look?

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Rotoehu Forest has good bird numbers but they have been hunted hard over the season so far , I was up there yesterday and seen several cock birds driving around without dogs.You will need a entry permit for Timberlands and you get them through First Sercurity in Rotorua. You can do them on line , look under Recreational Permits on the Timberlands web site. Cost is $50 until the end of September when all hunting closes for the fire season.

When does season finish?

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Rotoehu Forest has good bird numbers but they have been hunted hard over the season so far , I was up there yesterday and seen several cock birds driving around without dogs.You will need a entry permit for Timberlands and you get them through First Sercurity in Rotorua. You can do them on line , look under Recreational Permits on the Timberlands web site. Cost is $50 until the end of September when all hunting closes for the fire season.

Thanks for that, I'll have a look at that website

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

When does season finish?

25 August

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Not sure if you still can, but the beach frontage from Matata right down to Whakatane airport was open to hunt for game birds. The Fish and Game issued permits for there.
Bird numbers are low compared to Rotoehu but you can / could hunt there any day where as Rotoehu is weekends only

Te Puke Kiwifruit orchards. They're like rabbits if you can get access.

Trouble with the ones on the papamoa beach rd is that the AOS will help you pluck them.

Originally Posted by kiwijames

Te Puke Kiwifruit orchards. They're like rabbits if you can get access.

Yeah I can imagine, hard to arrange access when not local unfortunately

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by Mauser308

Papamoa Beach sand dunes. Bloody cockroaches walking around in the open... Good luck shooting them though, the local women resident nearby feed the bloody things. I clipped one the other day driving down, first thought was that was the windscreen but no it held. One hell of a bang though.

When I did my apprenticeship in Tauranga we used to shoot them by the dozen in the dunes. South of the Pap tavern it was a vacant lot owned by the army iirc. Hell we used to shoot them on the beach nearly.

Originally Posted by kiwijames

When I did my apprenticeship in Tauranga we used to shoot them by the dozen in the dunes. South of the Pap tavern it was a vacant lot owned by the army iirc. Hell we used to shoot them on the beach nearly.

The good old days alright.

I was in Rotoehu yesterday also and yep birds were about.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Plenty around Opotiki apparantly. A colleague was out with 'the cousie' last summer and got plenty. Supplements the feeds of kereru, weka and tui.

Thanks everyone, going to have a look in rotehu tomorrow so will let you know how it goes.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Remember to keep left and obey all road rules give way signs and traffic signals...... but then again it may be a bit wet and not many other hunters around. Good luck.
Keep an eye out for any inkweed that hasnt been frost bitten and still has berry. Walk any gullies and sheltered basins that would usually be "warm" on a sunny day, birds are starting to group up again and the roosters crowing.
Mostly birds will be found on higher ground, with the rain they could be skulking along the road verges, roosters walk with their tail down, hens with tail up.

Thanks everyone

We had a good look around yesterday, spent more time scouting than hunting but good to see new county. @Wildmann ended up getting one, prob should have had another if our shooting better. It was strange as saw a heap while driving the roads in odd spots, cold damp areas etc. But only saw 3 cock's when hunting what looked like good country

Might have to go back next year for another look

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk