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

Evening Team

Been hunting a couple years now, and have deliberately targeted meat animals over that time. Over the past couple years I've passed on a few 6-8-10 pointers that were either young or clearly worth leaving to grow. I once did put a shot - too far back - on a old boy, with big wide antlers but not very many points, several hours of searching couldn't find him in thick bush. Still feel terrible about that shot. I think I didn't adjust enough for the fact that he was quartering.

This year I've got leave booked, done a few scouting trips (didn't see any trophies, but there were plenty of deer about) and am planning on heading for 3-6 days into the Lewis Tops. I didn't feel like I was ready to target a trophy before this roar, but now I've got a full freezer of meat and am ready for the next challenge.

You never can know enough, and the chance conversations I've had with experienced hunters when crossing paths on backcountry trails have given me so much good oil that I'm always quietly hoping I'll bump into another one when I'm out there, and be able to add a few more tricks to the book. Along that line of though; what have those of you who have lost count of the roar trips you've been on and the deer you've shot think a newcomer like myself should know, try, do.. or not do this roar?

Roar plenty but once you have one going don't try to out roar him. Wait a minute or 3 before replying.
Don't have a fire. Not until you smack one over
There's are couple of tips.

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Originally Posted by Average-Lad

Evening Team

Been hunting a couple years now, and have deliberately targeted meat animals over that time. Over the past couple years I've passed on a few 6-8-10 pointers that were either young or clearly worth leaving to grow. I once did put a shot - too far back - on a old boy, with big wide antlers but not very many points, several hours of searching couldn't find him in thick bush. Still feel terrible about that shot. I think I didn't adjust enough for the fact that he was quartering.

This year I've got leave booked, done a few scouting trips (didn't see any trophies, but there were plenty of deer about) and am planning on heading for 3-6 days into the Lewis Tops. I didn't feel like I was ready to target a trophy before this roar, but now I've got a full freezer of meat and am ready for the next challenge.

You never can know enough, and the chance conversations I've had with experienced hunters when crossing paths on backcountry trails have given me so much good oil that I'm always quietly hoping I'll bump into another one when I'm out there, and be able to add a few more tricks to the book. Along that line of though; what have those of you who have lost count of the roar trips you've been on and the deer you've shot think a newcomer like myself should know, try, do.. or not do this roar?

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1) watch the wind constantly 2) listen especially at night try to determine where the stags are 3) if you do roar keep it to an absolute minimum and really only early morning and evening -to much roaring from you and likely you will shut up more than you actually get going 4) use buddy system if you do go in on a stag - one stay back and very occasionally roar - one go in silently -try to come down onto stag not come up from underneath have fun

All those deer you got for the freezer should have had their pizzlies and piss bags removed and frozen and then the night before you go for your big hunt you unfreeze the piss bags and pour them over your Swanie and tie the pizzlies to your belt, you will smell like a manky ol'stag especially after a week in the bush.

Learn how to do a hind or calf call for red deer. Don't try to stop a red stag on the move in the open with a roar, use a calf call, try in the bush too, but keep it to a minimum.
Have fun out there.

Sent from my SM-S906E using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Average-Lad

Evening Team

Been hunting a couple years now, and have deliberately targeted meat animals over that time. Over the past couple years I've passed on a few 6-8-10 pointers that were either young or clearly worth leaving to grow. I once did put a shot - too far back - on a old boy, with big wide antlers but not very many points, several hours of searching couldn't find him in thick bush. Still feel terrible about that shot. I think I didn't adjust enough for the fact that he was quartering.

This year I've got leave booked, done a few scouting trips (didn't see any trophies, but there were plenty of deer about) and am planning on heading for 3-6 days into the Lewis Tops. I didn't feel like I was ready to target a trophy before this roar, but now I've got a full freezer of meat and am ready for the next challenge.

You never can know enough, and the chance conversations I've had with experienced hunters when crossing paths on backcountry trails have given me so much good oil that I'm always quietly hoping I'll bump into another one when I'm out there, and be able to add a few more tricks to the book. Along that line of though; what have those of you who have lost count of the roar trips you've been on and the deer you've shot think a newcomer like myself should know, try, do.. or not do this roar?

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Do you belong to ChCh NZDA? They do some great club trips and there is a wealth of knowledge.

be safe.....be careful.....be cautious......and be bold when needed..if that big boy is going to mean a night out after bowling it over,so be it,you should be carrying enough gear to do it safely. enjoy your time out on hill,pick up on the little things,the bellbirds,the riflemen,the kea,the feel of the breaze,that cool drink of crystal clear water,or even the muddy swamp stuff if youve busted arse on big climb...shooting a deer is only a small part of the whole picture..when you learn to appreciate the rest of the picture,the deer will be enjoyed even more.... and you will feel better in yourself just by getting out on hill,I know that sounds mushy but Im positive MOST folks who have grey in thier beards will agree.

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.

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Originally Posted by bigbear

the loudest stag is not always the biggest.

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by DavidGunn

All those deer you got for the freezer should have had their pizzlies and piss bags removed and frozen and then the night before you go for your big hunt you unfreeze the piss bags and pour them over your Swanie and tie the pizzlies to your belt, you will smell like a manky ol'stag especially after a week in the bush.

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Really really - the man asked for advice not being wound up with this kind of humour - are you serious - I just cant work out if you actually mean this piece of stupidity or you are winding us all up -- if you for some insane reason actually mean you do something so bloody stupid then consider this - wind - for your insane thinking to work the stag needs to smell it - ya think with their sense of smell ya can camoflage your smell - good luck with that - if indeed ya was winding us all up ya achieved it

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