Last minute hunt from Auckland - Kaimais?

Kia ora everyone, yet another townie here. Been really enjoying reading all the posts and learning!
I'm a beginner hunter but have been well and truly bitten by the bug and am looking forward to using the new belt and knife my partner got me for Xmas :)

It's my birthday on Friday (and it's a big one!) – I didn't really have any plans but took the day off work and have just thought it might be nice to go out for a hunt with my partner and our dog.

We're in Auckland and only have a day to spare so was thinking of driving to the Kaimais and looking around the north bit? Don't expect it to be teeming but would love some recommendations for an easy walk and the possibility of deer about 2 hours from Auckland.

Thanks everyone :)

probably a bit more info required before suggestions can be made.....
fitness levels. outdoor skillset levels, kit, bowhunter or rifle.
no-one will want to see you thrown in over your head
and some get a bit uppity if you dont do a proper intro in the intro section
(even tho you have covered that here)

Nothing wrong hunting with a knife,you dont need a fal for that,just be very sneeky.

Have you put your dog through the kiwi aversion training?
Have you also checked how your dog handles gunfire?
It would be a shame waste a good day's hunting chasing after the dog all the time.

Cheers guys.

My fitness not great at the mo and just looking for something easy. I’m just starting out but my partner is experienced and has taught me lots. I’m using a .308.

Dog not currently kiwi aversion trained but is well trained. Ok when we have taken him goat shooting, and we have been working on tracking :)

Henderson's tramline loop off Old Kaimai road at the southern end is a nice walk.
The dog needs a permit from the Tauranga DOC office (email taurangainfo@doc.govt.nz), but north of State Highway 29 you don't need the Kiwi Aversion certificate.

I’d try Thompson track. Easy to get to from either side of the Kaimais.
There’s some nice open tops which may well produce a deer this time of the year, first or last light. I’ve never walked the Waikato side, but ridden the Katikati side a number of times. Bloody wet and muddy after rain!
Amazing views up there as a bonus.

Consider parking at end of Springs Rd, near Katikati. Te Rereatukahia hut is an easy walk and allows access to some slips near the main ridge. FWIW, car security was always on my mind when I lived over there, so perhaps door knock for parking.

Thanks everyone - carparking also a concern for me so appreciate the tips!

Will be plenty of trampers and day walkers floating around the kaimais at the moment so take care

You said "something easy". Don't access kaimais from Western side then as it normally requires a steep 2 hour climb.

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Originally Posted by Rusky

You said "something easy". Don't access kaimais from Western side then as it normally requires a steep 2 hour climb.

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Puck you must be slow. It's only half hour up the waterfall.

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Originally Posted by greenhuntaway

Thanks everyone - carparking also a concern for me so appreciate the tips!

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Car park at road end of Thompson's Track is now under video surveillance. Deer up on the 100 acre's, walk up track till you came across swamp on your left, take next skid on left, easy walk all the way....if you want to park out of sight let me know and I'll arrange something.

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Originally Posted by SmokeyJason

Puck you must be slow. It's only half hour up the waterfall.

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You'd be setting a cracking pace to make it in 30 mins

lol yeah from Wanganui, so must be running from there. lol:XD:;)
From the car park if you take it easy with a rest at the look out after the stairs your up in an hour with some stuffing left to have a stalk.
Winds always an ass but the place always holds a few animals. I'd advise getting out past the old hunt clearings though.

Weather forecast for Kaimais over the next 4 days is for about 400 mm of rain, any sign seen will be only seconds old.

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Originally Posted by DavidGunn

Car park at road end of Thompson's Track is now under video surveillance. Deer up on the 100 acre's, walk up track till you came across swamp on your left, take next skid on left, easy walk all the way....if you want to park out of sight let me know and I'll arrange something.

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Appreciate it mate :)
Didn't make it out this weekend but me and my partner definitely keen :)