Thread: Elevation

I'm fairly new to hunting and in my short time out in the hills iv started noticing that once you start to find fresh sign it seems to be about the same elevation. Go 200m higher/lower and the sign seems to become less fresh. Would this corrolate between different ranges/ areas or would this generally be new zealand wide?
I'm keeping records each walk to try and help next year's hunts more successful.

Some times it seems a shame to get to the sign but be halfway up a hill that was intended to be glassed from the top.
Whats others thoughts on this?

Originally Posted by Randynz

I'm fairly new to hunting and in my short time out in the hills iv started noticing that once you start to find fresh sign it seems to be about the same elevation. Go 200m higher/lower and the sign seems to become less fresh. Would this corrolate between different ranges/ areas or would this generally be new zealand wide?
I'm keeping records each walk to try and help next year's hunts more successful.

Some times it seems a shame to get to the sign but be halfway up a hill that was intended to be glassed from the top.
Whats others thoughts on this?

Good observation, you'll make a hunter. In a lot of country deer at this time of year hang out in the "inversion layer" , a band of warmer air above the cold stuff that has sunk to the valley floor . . . .

Yes deer often found in same band of altitude...at different times of year. Could be the best growth area,best bit of fresh tucker. Why they can move up or down long valleys as seasons progress.

as an example Te Urewera which I probably know best for bush hunting very strong seasonal movement winter deer high up why more sun the valley bottoms are cold frosty and no growth - but come spring and in there thats mid November the growth starts down on any clearings slips guts and valley bottoms and there the deer go to - almost as if someone threw a switch

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

... come spring and in there thats mid November the growth starts down on any clearings slips guts and valley bottoms and there the deer go to - almost as if someone threw a switch

So if I'm hunting clearings/flats in November in the mornings and evenings, how high should I be stalking mid-morning or afternoon? If they're at the valley bottom in the morning, would they go up 100m and bed down there, or would it be higher?

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good question it really does vary it seems a bit depends on how much pressure they are under - real good clearing and yes they may only be 2-300-metrea away just up a ridge a little way but in general at Waikaremoana they seem to go at least 2/3 rds of the way up the ridge nearby say 800 metres - one can follow the sign back up if the wind is right and get lucky - difficult though coming up from underneath on deer but lot of fun

You'll also find that supplejack can have a band of elevation as well

Yes. I try to avoid this. Maybe that's why I don't see deer!

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Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

good question it really does vary it seems a bit depends on how much pressure they are under - real good clearing and yes they may only be 2-300-metrea away just up a ridge a little way but in general at Waikaremoana they seem to go at least 2/3 rds of the way up the ridge nearby say 800 metres - one can follow the sign back up if the wind is right and get lucky - difficult though coming up from underneath on deer but lot of fun

Fantastic, thanks Barry. I'm in the Tararuas and the hill I'm thinking goes up to 700m, but I'll take the principle. Guessing if there's a really steep band/cliff across the whole hill they'll go up to there abouts and hold rather than waste the energy to slog above there just to gain elevation?

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likely just sit up just under the bluffs they like areas that collect sun and have a little breeze going over them - crest of a ridge - can sit there chew their cud- but are hard to sneak up on - certainly easier to find once up and moving - Te Urewera hunting climbed for 2-3 hours get up on main ridge then slowly came back with wind in ones favour looking down the ridges into the gullys - under bluffs - listening to - have heard deer moving around especially on loose shingle