From Bluff to the Kawekas in a day

I have the good fortune of living amongst some awesome hunting grounds down here in Southland, never did I think I’d travel to north to shoot a deer......
In the past I’ve read posts and articles, met up with and taken north islanders on hunts or at least given advice and there is always one common theme that intrigued me. Sika.
I contemplated a ‘swap’ hunt but in the end stubbornness won out and I decided I’d go it alone (although a friend ended up joining me) and do it blindly and on doc land.
I have never made a hunting clip before, so excuse the average quality and monotone commentary but you’ll get the idea. I have also never posted a report on a hunt before either however on this occasion a couple good buggers did offer some advice from this forum so this is kinda my way of giving something back.
I hunt regularly down here, for a variety of species and I can honestly say I really rated this trip up north and it probably won’t be the last.
Cheers

https://youtu.be/PVygyBGi-ZY

Well done !! been a couple of decades since I was last in the kawekas seems so far from down here , really enjoyed your clip you guys looked like you where doing it easy especially with beer & chops in the pack :thumbsup:
This link mite work better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVygyBGi-ZY

Great!
You were really meant to get permission from me to use that first camp site, but I will let you off for a warning. :)

Many times I've slogged back towards camp to get a closer shot at a deer on the that slip. Its never occurred to me to have a crack at 950 yards like you did :thumbsup:

At first glance that first deer looked like a cross-bred, but probably not.
I've seen a heap of deer in that immediate area and only ever one red.

I'm glad that you had a good trip!

Cheers

@Boaraxa yea it does but when the Grabaseat deals come up and if you can get the direct flights to Wellington it wasn’t too bad, in fact almost quicker than when I drive to the West Coast or Canterbury just for a weekend hunt! I found the country up there is definitely a mini version of what we have although very steep in places and a lot of slips in the bush. And a shitload of snow damage. I don’t normally carry beers and chops all the time, it was more pack training for larger Fiordland trips coming up and it made more sense than carrying weights! Being a typical south lander I packed for the worst and didn’t even use half the amount of clothes I took. I certainly don’t get the opportunity to walk around the tops in a singlet down here very often

@Tahr
Sorry mate, I’ll let you know next time 👍
That slip certainly seems to attract them. Yea I was a bit gutted on that shot as I’ve practiced that range and further many times however that’s life.
I was hoping it wasn’t a red! I saw in one of the back ridge butchers videos once a red along there so I guess it is possible.
Cheers

Good stuff look like you had a great time :thumbsup:

Very cool trip lads and great video report, especially for your first!

The Kawekas is a pretty special place.

I really enjoyed that video. I’ve hunted that country a bit and seen deer in all the same places as you did. It certainly helps to have a rifle capable of shooting long distances up there.
You guys did a fair bit of walking too, great stuff!

:-)

Nice that was a trip down memory lane. They are certainly creatures of habit . Deer in all the old haunts .

Excellent footage brings back memories of the only time I have been too that area, Good weather you had also.

Like our flies?

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Originally Posted by Maxx

Like our flies?

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After being right down here for a while now I still prefer the kaweka budgies too the bloody sandflies

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Originally Posted by Nathan F

After being right down here for a while now I still prefer the kaweka budgies too the bloody sandflies

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LOL Kawkeka budgies. Have to remember that one.
A mate and I once had them coming in so bad it was like the opening to Apocalypse Now with the Huey's rolling in.

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Originally Posted by Maxx

Like our flies?

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Haha, They are unreal!! The deer were flyblown before we could get to them. It’s no wonder there were good meatsafes around