Thread: Advice for Rusa up the Horomanga.

G’day everyone, I’m new here on the forum and was looking for a little advice. I’ve been living in the Bay of Plenty for a few years now and want to finally go after a Rusa as I live only 30 minutes out of Galatea. My old man is coming up for my birthday in October and wanted to go out for a hunt so I was thinking of heading up the Horomanga for the first time. I’ve never hunted Rusa before but I hear spring is a good time for it and have been told to find a nice clearing to glass over right on first or last light when they are most active. Does anyone have any tips or advice for me? I’m not overly familiar with area and am not too sure which direction to head to find a good spot so any info is appreciated. Cheers.

No hut in the Horomunga any more . Doc hutd the is .

Ffs there are no DOC huts in the Horomunga
Mid way was burnt down about 5 yrs ago and the forks hut taken away years ago . You are beter off on the Galatea faces.

Yep, spoke to some who did well glassing into small slips and clearings along the faces

Further around (North East ish) is the Ohutu Stream, lots of good clearings up off river. I think it's best to climb up the Northern side and watch the Southern faces, may take a while to get your bearings but you will eventually find some good spots. Deer also frequent the stream especially in spring. Permission to cross private land is needed I think.

Midway hut was sort of rebuilt by the locals. Can't remember when I was up there @Russian 22.

Cheers guys, I’m aware of the situation with the huts up there so that’s not a problem. I’ve also had more than my fair share of break-ins (3 times in the past year and a bit) so I’ll probably ask one of the farmers if it’s okay to park on their property. I know where the Ohutu stream is so I might give it a go up there instead. I fish a lot in the upper Rangitaiki so I’ll definitely bring the rod too. Does anyone know if I need permission and who to ask for access to the Ohutu-Duckville Hut Track?

The one time I have been up there we crossed a farm, I was with a mate and I am not sure if he had teed it up first or if there is legal access. If you know where the Ohutu is call in and see the farmer on the true right of the stream, that was the property we crossed. We drove right to the bush edge then got onto the track. We struck smoking fresh Rusa sign within 300 meters of the farm boundary.( it was a while back though)

Will do, I’ll go for a drive up there this weekend or next for a bit of a door knocking trip to try and secure access and permission. I hear the farmers are pretty good in those parts so we’ll see how we go. Cheers for the advice everyone. I’m glad I joined the forum as everyone’s help has been invaluable. Happy hunting all.