Newbie Yank

Good day everyone!

I'm Marcus H, 38 and from Ohio in the states. Living down in south Tennessee so I'm the definition of a Yankee even here. Absolutely love hunting and have been doing it since a little kid on our farm, mostly squirrel, deer, turkeys and any predator that decided to play the game. Just in the last few years I've really picked up bow hunting for big mulies out west and have been hooked with traveling ever since. I usually travel to 7-8 states every spring for turkey hunting alone. I'm a spot and stalk type of guy by heart and love the challenge. Some of my best days in the woods and mtns have been simply getting close to what I'm after and just enjoying being out even when I came home empty. I'm usually a lone hunter since all my friends have kids now days and these hunting trips are all I have besides working my life away, in which I travel all the time as a lineman.
New Zealand has been a dream hunt for many years but wanted a little to late when I finally got my passport the beginning of 2020. We all know how they went. Actually, was not planning on a trip for another 2 years but got a gap in work and very last minute pulled the trigger. I do have a guide service starting the 31st of May and against everyone's advice I know, including the guides haha, I'm bringing my bow and getting after it on the days I'm not with them. I'm not looking at running into anything within bow range but I believe being out there will still be more than worth it. I was told bowhunting is tough in the winter but I think it's tough anywhere and all the time so I'm not discouraged one bit. That's the game I like.

So just wanted to say hi and if you see a lost Yankee up in the mtns near Queenstown, feel free to wave and laugh, but know I'm probably loving every second of it! 🤣

Good luck to all with the rest of your seasons, I've seen some beautiful deer and stag on here, congrats and wish you all the best!

If anyone has some trips out west for mule deer and what not, in the states this year, feel free to hit me up!
Marcus

welcome, whats that bow you are using?

Thanks! I use two bows but will be using my newest one, Elite Era 72lbs. I have an older Elite Pulse that's my rock but this one's been working good for me and alot lighter being carbon.

Welcome aboard! Excellent pics too.

Welcome mate and good luck :thumbsup:

Thank you! I bought an actual camera for this trip so hoping to get some good mtn pics!

Thanks Harry!

Welcome aboard. I have never understood the fascination you fellahs in the states have with hunting turkey's, the bloody things are everywhere here. I am sure that you will have done your homework on hunting our alpine country but even so, be prepared for the worst as the weather can turn life threateningly dangerous in a heart beat.

�� I call it a sickness! Something about chasing thunder chickens all over God's creation has just gotten in my bones.. But, I absolutely love making turkey nuggets too lol. Best believe if I can find an area with turkeys near where I'm going the hunt will be on ha. My friends would die in laughter if I said I went all the way to New Zealand just to get another gobbler.
I haven't looked much at the alpine country and will be a new experience all around. I was looking to get more into some elevation but realize the weather probably has the deer and what not, besides tahr, alot lower. I'm pretty keen on weather and know mtns tend to make their own. I'm a cold weather guy but I'm not arrogant when I see a storm rolling in and i definitely pay attention before I head in and during. Thank you for the heads up though!

If u get bored look me up mate

Will do! I've got a solid 12-13 days, just going with the flow once I get there this Monday

Welcome from Australia.

It's not as good as NZ but we have some decent hunting here too.

I'm hoping to get over to the states in the next couple of years to hunt, but my passion is traditional muzzleloaders. Seems to restrict or help depending on the state and what you're after. For me a big mulie is my bucket list animal.

It's a friendly group here, hang around.

Who's the guide u using down here?

Thanks Bavarian! My advice on hunting the states is to do it sooner than later. It's sad to say the state of things are not guaranteed anymore. It's why I'm even trying to hunt more states as of late because it's hard to tell how much longer we'll get to enjoy what we have now. Most states are a draw only when it comes to mule deer and the other states that were over the counter are heading that way and limited tags unless you live in that state. Big mulies are something that I've come to love though and it's for sure worth it!
My good friends dad actually builds traditional muzzleloaders from start to finish, including the cutting and shaping of the stocks out of a solid block of wood. It's truly an art and they're dang accurate for hunting too! Haha They have a big traditional/family muzzleloader shoot every year.

Padox, I'm going with Oddsy's but it's just for a few days. They seem like good people and enjoyed talking to them. Doing Stag and Tahr. I'm going to possibly try fallow buck on my own, just going to be a learning curve of finding the public areas that hold them. I went ahead and got the DOC permits for areas around Queenstown up towards Wanaka, so planning on hunting them just like I would in the mtns out west here.

Welcome over.
I am sure your Kiwi connections will advise you well, but backing @Rushy up, our mountain winter weather is a wet cold, not a dry cold like most of the USA mountains. Its hard in the South Island to get further than 80 miles from the sea, so all weather is laden with moisture.

Have fun

Good day and thank you. I'm glad for the insight as someone else told me it was more of a dry air so that changes quite s bit. Actually sounds like the cold winters in used to in Ohio. That nasty damp cold that can chill you to the bones quick. I'm packed for it but hoping to get at least a couple sunny days where I can break out the t-shirts haha I have quite a few different merino wool layers so hopefully they work as they have in the past. ��

Welcome SouthBuckeye, all the best for your NZ adventure! Thats a great velvet mule deer, which state is that? Utah?

I appreciate it CB. I'm pretty stoked to come hang out. That buck was from northwest Nebraska.

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Originally Posted by SouthBuckeye

Thanks Bavarian! My advice on hunting the states is to do it sooner than later. It's sad to say the state of things are not guaranteed anymore. It's why I'm even trying to hunt more states as of late because it's hard to tell how much longer we'll get to enjoy what we have now. Most states are a draw only when it comes to mule deer and the other states that were over the counter are heading that way and limited tags unless you live in that state. Big mulies are something that I've come to love though and it's for sure worth it!
My good friends dad actually builds traditional muzzleloaders from start to finish, including the cutting and shaping of the stocks out of a solid block of wood. It's truly an art and they're dang accurate for hunting too! Haha They have a big traditional/family muzzleloader shoot every year.

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I’m building up points in WY for mule deer, this year will make 6. Hopefully with 8 or 9 I can draw a good unit.

That’ll be a rifle hunt, I want to chase eastern whitetail with my flintlock. Seems easier to get tags and depending on the state should be some public land around.

What’s your friends fathers name? I don’t know them all but I’m familiar with the work of quite a few makers. I was trying to get a flintlock made by someone in the states but no one was interested in doing it for an Aussie. It’s amazing how many Americans seem to believe we can’t own guns in Australia!

The guys at Backcountry podcast came down here and hunted similar country to what you are doing
https://www.youtube.com/@BackcountryHuntingPodcast

The episode is in there somewhere, about a month back
They got drenched as they were hunting in a rainstorm

Best of luck

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Originally Posted by Bavarian_Hunter

I’m building up points in WY for mule deer, this year will make 6. Hopefully with 8 or 9 I can draw a good unit.

That’ll be a rifle hunt, I want to chase eastern whitetail with my flintlock. Seems easier to get tags and depending on the state should be some public land around.

What’s your friends fathers name? I don’t know them all but I’m familiar with the work of quite a few makers. I was trying to get a flintlock made by someone in the states but no one was interested in doing it for an Aussie. It’s amazing how many Americans seem to believe we can’t own guns in Australia!

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That's the best way to do it! Believe it or not I drew my first year, last year, on a unit that nobody draws for I guess and actually enjoyed it quite a bit. I never once saw anyone bowhunting it and had several opportunities but missed a monster like my 5th day out. Took the rifle season opening up for me to go to another canyon area and put a longer shot on a decent 3x3. I was wanting a good meat buck anyways so worked out perfectly. I put in for it again this year.

I rarely seen a whitetail in wyoming, were a few on a couple private sections was all. His name is Wayne and he's pit of Ohio. He really doesn't advertise but anyways near the ohio and Pennsylvania lines should know him if they're serious into traditional.

I hold a grudge against Austrailia, they tool one of my favorite rifle manufacturers from the state I'm in! Lol I'm still looking at buying one from them but I couldn't believe it, Barrett. Hate to say we have alot of ignorant people here but honestly you get that everywhere. Can't always believe what you read on social media lol

308, I believe it! I've been watching the weather religiously and it's showing nothing but rain for me.. Then the mtns are unpredictable to begin with haha. I'll enjoy it either way, it's part of it! I just hope I get a couple nice days to break in the new camera I bought. I want to blow some pictures up on canvas for my house. Hunting with the bow and camera this trip.
I'll check their video out for sure. One of the guys I follow and have watched for years is Remi Warren and love his videos from over there! Along with Brian Call (Gritty Series) w/Ryan Lampars.

Just curious , but do any of you archery hunt and have a preferred bowshop around Queenstown that you like? First thing I try and do on any trip is get out and shoot. It cost me a couple hundred to bring a target so would love somewhere to shoot alittle. Every time I go out west, because of altitude, I have to adjust my elevation on my sight bar 🥱

I archery hunt and spend a bit of time in Queenstown. I NZ we don't have many archery shops and there isn't one in Queenstown that I know of. The closest one I know of is in Christchurch which is 6 hrs drive! When I bow hunt the US I just make a target from carboard and find somewhere to check my bow.

I gotcha. I figured rifles were the primary weapon but thought there would be at least one shop close by. I have a few arrows I can sling in the dirt. I brought a couple practice broadheads. I just don't usually hunt with an arrow I've drove into the dirt unless I can test on paper after. May knock on a few farmers doors anyways and maybe they'll have some hay bales I can shoot against.

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Originally Posted by SouthBuckeye

... but thought there would be at least one shop close by.

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Just remember that the entire South Island has a population less than our one big city of Auckland. It is one of the more endearing features of the South Island. But it can be frustrating with the lack of bricks and mortar shops, especially with respect to specialist hobbies/sports.

I am sure someone will be able to point you at a farmer who is happy for you to poke holes in targets somewhere close:thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by SouthBuckeye

I gotcha. I figured rifles were the primary weapon but thought there would be at least one shop close by. I have a few arrows I can sling in the dirt. I brought a couple practice broadheads. I just don't usually hunt with an arrow I've drove into the dirt unless I can test on paper after. May knock on a few farmers doors anyways and maybe they'll have some hay bales I can shoot against.

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if you fly into christchurch we have archery shops and a few clubs to practice at

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Originally Posted by XR500

Just remember that the entire South Island has a population less than our one big city of Auckland. It is one of the more endearing features of the South Island. But it can be frustrating with the lack of bricks and mortar shops, especially with respect to specialist hobbies/sports.

I am sure someone will be able to point you at a farmer who is happy for you to poke holes in targets somewhere close:thumbsup:

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That's exactly what I'm looking forward to. I'm from a small farm town and it's still holding on, trying to stay small. I'm a country type of guy and love the peacefulness of it. Where I live now is growing so fast, it's just a concrete jungle but I'm still able to drive 20-30 minutes and be into the mountains at least. Still, all the traffic keeps my anxiety on high haha Doesn't help I work on power poles right on all the busy roads!

I'll definitely have to knock on some doors. I'm arriving late now, flights been delayed and then canceled. Stuck in Los Angeles, California at the moment! ��

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Originally Posted by gonetropo

if you fly into christchurch we have archery shops and a few clubs to practice at

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If they ever get my canceled and delayed flights rebooked I believe it has me going straight from Sydney to Queenstown on my flight in. On my flight out I go from Queenstown to Auckland and then back to the states. Is there any must see places within a few hours of queenstown?? I'm hopefully renting a 4x4 truck once I get in. Looks like it'll be Tuesday now and I don't know what kind of roads you guys have during the winter.

I did take a taxi back to the airport this morning and made United Airlines put eyes on my luggage to make sure they hadn't lost any bags with everything canceling and delaying. Thankfully my bow is still there and secure still��

roads are pretty crap, narrow, one lane bridges, full of potholes etc. watch out for black ice too
theres a few nice places down south, unfortunately going to queenstown and saying youve been to nz would be like thinking all of l.a was like disneyland.

Hope you are in transit now. When looking around remember to pick your jaw up off the floor every ow and then. Enjoy yourself.

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Originally Posted by johnd

Hope you are in transit now. When looking around remember to pick your jaw up off the floor every ow and then. Enjoy yourself.

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Lop I appreciate the hope but I'm still in Los Angeles at the hotel dealing with United Airlines. My flight supposedly leaves at 10:40 tonight but who knows at this point!

I'm anxious to get there that's for sure. I wish I could've spent a day or two in Australia but I can make that another trip one day.

@SouthBuckeye
did you make it??
I'm not yet allowed to send PM but really curious to know how the Bow passed the airports and if you find a place to shoot some arrow in the Queenstown area?
I'll go with a fire amr but my partner will go with a bow

Yeah I made through customs just fine. I actually liked the fact that the customs guy came and found me to give me my bow. Pretty straight forward! Attachment 251345