Thread: Learning to hunt successfully

Hi all I started hunting around 2020 but have never had a successful trip after deer have paid for guided trips but am trying to pick one off doc land. Had a year off due to my first child coming along and unable to find time. I am now trying to get out a few times a year my first trip will be to Tongariro national park in a few weeks. I use a 7mm magnum will be great full for any advice that can be offered cheers

Look for areas with plenty of sign, if you find fresh sign follow it slowly and quietly

I've found a few decent clearings that I plan on glassing, down around ohakune side, would they be likely to head out in to the open this time of the year or would moving in to the bush be a better option? @inglishill

Either or, the biggest thing is finding the animals. gffffffffffffffffff5444444444 (my cats two cents worth as he walked over the keyboard) glassing works, looking for fresh sign works, listening for sounds in the bush works. I don't know this area so can not give specifics, just don't give up

Cheers for the advice hopefully I've picked a area to hunt the deer are in

Originally Posted by Bobthewannabehunter

Cheers for the advice hopefully I've picked a area to hunt the deer are in

I am sure there are people on here that know the area that might be willing to chip in with some area specific advise

If you're time poor like many of us, I'd suggest joining the deerstalkers - they organize trips and put you in the same orbit as others that can help you get out in the right places to get animals.

The most difficult hunting you will ever do is within the vicinity of your keyboard

Get out there and familiarise yourself with your chosen area

Explore it until you can navigate it in the dark without anxiety, while enjoying this process you will often find the deer at first and last light.

About the 10th of May the reds will come back out onto the grass to feed up and put on condition for the coming winter, this makes spotting them that much easier. Sika maintenance feed through the roar but they do feed up with more intensity around the last days of May

Originally Posted by canross

If you're time poor like many of us, I'd suggest joining the deerstalkers - they organize trips and put you in the same orbit as others that can help you get out in the right places to get animals.

...and do their HUNTS course if you want to learn.

Originally Posted by canross

If you're time poor like many of us, I'd suggest joining the deerstalkers - they organize trips and put you in the same orbit as others that can help you get out in the right places to get animals.

Other then member ship fees do you have to pay for there group hunts? I've been thinking about joining up to my local deer stalkers, as they have a rang the is open most Sundays it's just the fees holding me back. Should really pull finger and join

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

The most difficult hunting you will ever do is within the vicinity of your keyboard

Get out there and familiarise yourself with your chosen area

Explore it until you can navigate it in the dark without anxiety, while enjoying this process you will often find the deer at first and last light.

About the 10th of May the reds will come back out onto the grass to feed up and put on condition for the coming winter, this makes spotting them that much easier. Sika maintenance feed through the roar but they do feed up with more intensity around the last days of May

So true ain't going to shoot anything on the couch all computer, I've got next week off work so am heading out Monday, I've seen plenty of deer on previous trips, just been to slow to shoot, spooked a mob of 3-4 around piropiro flats. I've seen them every time I've been out just need to start shooting them now

Originally Posted by Basenjiboy

...and do their HUNTS course if you want to learn.

What do they teach you on the hunts course? I've done one on skining, gutting and breaking down a deer.

Sounds to me you’re hanging out in the right places, maybe you just need to slooowww down a wee bit.

Go back to piropiro and about, and sharpen your bushstalking skills.
The three essential tools are a good gps to mark the interesting spots and not getting lost.
A puffer bottle of chalk or flower for wind direction . And a pair of secateurs to sort out the supple jacks.
If you have already scared some animals, you are on the right path.

Originally Posted by Mararoa

Sounds to me you’re hanging out in the right places, maybe you just need to slooowww down a wee bit.

First one we stopped to have a smoke had wind on our face then got up to take a piss and 10m in front of me a stag got up out of a bush and was gone before I knew it
Another time we where 100-150m from camp not expecting to see anything that close to us
Then there was the time in the kaimanawas and I had just left a hut looked to the left and I was being watched by 2 of them they bolted once they heard my bolt. I think I may need to open my eyes ��