Thread: First Roar - A open question for the more 'seasoned' hunters

If you are targeting a trophy, make sure you read up about how to take the cape off properly or at the very least, know enough where the basic cuts need to occur so you have the right length for a taxidermist to work their magic. Oh, if you are anticipating a heavy or awkward load on your back, take a decent hiking pole/walking stick with you. Save your knees for future hunts!

If you can hear him roar in the bush, he's almost certainly within 500 meters from you. You might be surprised how close he really is.

Dont be afraid to close the gap fast, ive dawdled around getting to animals 3-500m away and by the time ive been in the vicinity they have moved off or shut up.

the loudest stag is not always the biggest. Sometimes that one giving the odd groan could be your trophy.
Try not to back track to much in the bush.
Watch for hinds there are the ones that will ruin your day.

And just because its roaring it might not be a stag.

Originally Posted by bigbear

the loudest stag is not always the biggest.

And just because its roaring it might not be a stag.

it IS NOT A STAG untill you have seen it alive and moving properly ,for each of us this is different..for me its 3 ticks...moving properly,head n ears,see at least half of its entire body....

If the stags are roaring dont be afraid to move in quick. They might be quiet the following day. Sika are chronic for this.

Roar only as much as needed to keep them interested. Quite often the ringers are the ones that roar the most.
The real old ones will only roar sporadically and when they do the ringers will shut up for at least a minute or two as if they’ve been told.


Stags will also roar to try and locate other stags that might be sneaking in on them, if you have one going well shut up for a while and he will likely spark up to see where you are. Often they get quite aggro when you do this and you’ll think its a good idea to match his tone. Try avoid that as he will round up any hinds he has and move before he roars again.

Learn how to hind call, roaring doesnt always stop a stag thats a bit uneasy but a hind call will stop them.

Stags with no hinds will often work a beat roaring and they’ll go pretty well. Early roar this can work to find an older stag but most of the time the ringers will be the ones on the move.

Don't roar if they are already roaring,ambush from above.

Originally Posted by Yesmate

Don't roar if they are already roaring,ambush from above.

thats very very good advice yes mate - a good hunt will be you actually have not roared at all just located - closed in silently from above - quite often I have removed my boots for the last 50-100 meters - and the poor bugger on here who follows the advice to cover yourself in manky stag piss -- wash your own clothes you did the damage

Heaps of things I didn't know, thank you!

I'll let someone else try the pizzle technique though...

Don't over fuss about cammo or your smell/scent. The name of the game is not being seen through stealth and not being smelt by working with the wind that puts you at the best advantage.

In fact you would be better off wearing bright pink and your chic's perfume and being doubly careful because of it than being lax because you think that cammo and rolling in stag's piss is all you need to do.

My biggest mistake over the years has been camping on the tops where the action is and to wake up in the morning to find they have shut up shop. Don't camp where you want to hunt!
The other one that I try and live buy is only to shot a stag better than what I have. No use stacking antlers when they could turn into a real trophy in a couple more years. Photos are great to look back on in this situation.

Enjoy

I found it a bit awkward for my first few meetings in the Manawatu NZDA, but after a few times showing up I felt very welcome. Met some bloody good buggers and learned a lot, so it's worth sticking at it. Keep showing up.

I think people probably get a bit wary of new people turning up and expecting to be taken to all the good spots and spoon fed. I'm in no way suggesting that's what your about, but it is likely the reason for a less than glowing reception.

If you not getting very good responses with your roars, try roaring in the other direction. And if he stops roaring there's a good chance he is coming in for look.

Greetings All,
I am afraid that overall Deerstalkers are not that flash at greeting new members and making them welcome. This may have softened over recent years but it is just the type of loner person that makes a good hunter. Having someone to greet the newbies and introduce them to at least some of the people present can make a big difference. New members are the future of the club. This needs to be reinforced at committee level, again and again.
GPM.

Ive contacted Nth Canterbury about this. None of my business really except Ive been a member for 55 years and the org has made such great improvements the last few years I would hate there to be slippage back to how it was.