Thread: Advice for a new hunter - Tararuas

Originally Posted by oneshot

I have been hunting those areas for 20 years plus. This time of year bush hunting in there will be very difficult, the leaf litter on the ground is crunchy and stalking will be very noisy. During the heat of the day they will be up high to get a cool breeze or hold up in a wet shaded gut in the bush. Deer still like the open areas though throughout the night, late evening and morning, anywhere on the rivers edge with grass flats or sandy spots they will come out to play/feed.
You wont need to go that far though to see deer, that is a hell of a walk in this heat, especially to carry something out from mid way. I would either stay in one valley or up on the tops, either will have deer. I have shot a shit ton of deer in there over the years around Tutuwai and Totara flats. Save the big missions for when the weather cools down. Go up to Cone from Smiths or Totora flats from Waiohine and work all the bush edges/flats evening and first light, you will see deer.

Thanks so much for that advice! So good to have experienced hunters share their knowledge on here, I thought I might be overdoing it with my plan so glad to have it confirmed ��
I’ll look to head up the river to the flats and back as my first trip and then have a look at the ridge on a second trip. Will save the big trip as an overnighter when it cools down Glad to hear there’s a good chance of seeing some deer! I’ll aim to start before dawn so I can be at the flats by first light.

Thanks again !

I'm with Dusty Fog in that theres good hunting in the Haurangis and would be your best bet.
Further around the coast past the stone wall is good but steep.
Another area is from the end of Ruakokoputuna road - alot of people go in here but theres quite a lot of scope.
Good luck!