Thread: Lower Ruahines

Been struggling away in the lower/mid Ruahines on the western side lately. Can’t seem to find anything that feels “huntable”, starting to wonder if I’m missing the trick with how people approach these areas. I've seen good sign but haven't really been able to spot anything. Any tips to ease the ongoing struggle for lower Ruahines would be greatly appreciated. (new to hunting)

What area

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Slip hunting is generally the most productive method in the Southern Ruahines. Get on google earth and check out areas you want to hunt, look at the slips and then see if it looks like there’s a place you can access opposite them to sit, watch, and shoot. Spring is in full effect now so young silly deer will be out eating when they shouldn’t be.

Bush hunting the Southern Ruahines can be quite productive but you kind of need to learn the terrain and how the bush works in there. Climb above the supplejack belt and sidle into the good guts. Climb too high and it will get thick again up around the leatherwood transition line. You often have to push through pockets of shit to break out into the next nice open gut as you sidle. You will know when you’re in the right area when you get onto lots of sign. There’s a lot of deer in there so you will find it. Can also be some dangerous bluffs throughout there too, covered by undergrowth which you stumble upon so take care.

Walking open creeks and rivers can be productive this time of the year too because again, you can catch young silly animals out feeding on the spring grasses etc.

The Eastern side has more slip options to pick from but you still have them on the West side too.

pm me your cell phone number bro ill give you a bell later today

As the others have said, slips are the go. Put some time into Google earth, then walk the ground, find the spots where a bit of vegetation trimming will help you get shootable sight lines onto slip faces either opposite you, or to either side of the spur you are on. Then watch and wait. Nov/Dec are the golden months for Ruahine slip shooting.
But also walking the streams and rivers with the wind on your face will be great in a couple of weeks. Mum will have thrown the yearlings out of the family unit and they will be bimbling around the place not knowing which way is up.

A trick one can use with a creek or river flat hunting I used to use is if the wind is up your butt -go up fast as you can middle of day - deer may be up off the river flats up a ridge -then work out your return time and more importantly can you torch some of it home - so 2-3 hours up around 6 start to hunt back - slowly - you will know where the slips- grassy areas are so can slow for them - take two torches ( ask me how I know ) its not a perfect method but can work - or if there is a area with a lot of sign fly camp up for evening hunt - travel light - bivy and a billy + cooker all you need -

Thats some really good info. Im heading up tonight so ill pick a spot with some slips and a creek so can get them early in the morning. Im sorry I dont know how to pm im a bit new to the form.

*Areas i have currently been are titirangi road end, no1 line, wharatie peak

Originally Posted by deer-1-me-0

Thats some really good info. Im heading up tonight so ill pick a spot with some slips and a creek so can get them early in the morning. Im sorry I dont know how to pm im a bit new to the form.

No stress bro i think its because your post count is too low, Good info in this thread, keep exploring little further up the eastern side

Originally Posted by stagstalker

Slip hunting is generally the most productive method in the Southern Ruahines. Get on google earth and check out areas you want to hunt, look at the slips and then see if it looks like there’s a place you can access opposite them to sit, watch, and shoot. Spring is in full effect now so young silly deer will be out eating when they shouldn’t be.

Bush hunting the Southern Ruahines can be quite productive but you kind of need to learn the terrain and how the bush works in there. Climb above the supplejack belt and sidle into the good guts. Climb too high and it will get thick again up around the leatherwood transition line. You often have to push through pockets of shit to break out into the next nice open gut as you sidle. You will know when you’re in the right area when you get onto lots of sign. There’s a lot of deer in there so you will find it. Can also be some dangerous bluffs throughout there too, covered by undergrowth which you stumble upon so take care.

Walking open creeks and rivers can be productive this time of the year too because again, you can catch young silly animals out feeding on the spring grasses etc.

The Eastern side has more slip options to pick from but you still have them on the West side too.

+1 on what stagstalker said

Feel free to flick me a message, happy to T up a mission and take you into the Ruahines to show you the ropes if you’re new to hunting. Located in the Manawatu.

Or on Facebook if you don’t know - Jacob Howard

Originally Posted by stagstalker

Slip hunting is generally the most productive method in the Southern Ruahines. Get on google earth and check out areas you want to hunt, look at the slips and then see if it looks like there’s a place you can access opposite them to sit, watch, and shoot. Spring is in full effect now so young silly deer will be out eating when they shouldn’t be.

Bush hunting the Southern Ruahines can be quite productive but you kind of need to learn the terrain and how the bush works in there. Climb above the supplejack belt and sidle into the good guts. Climb too high and it will get thick again up around the leatherwood transition line. You often have to push through pockets of shit to break out into the next nice open gut as you sidle. You will know when you’re in the right area when you get onto lots of sign. There’s a lot of deer in there so you will find it. Can also be some dangerous bluffs throughout there too, covered by undergrowth which you stumble upon so take care.

Walking open creeks and rivers can be productive this time of the year too because again, you can catch young silly animals out feeding on the spring grasses etc.

The Eastern side has more slip options to pick from but you still have them on the West side too.

Good on you Dylan. Obviously great advice - with the caveat and hard work to actually learn the areas first to make it work. Youtubers make it look easy. Nice bush in the Ruahines compared to the Kaimai...

Thanks heaps. Ill flick you a freind request

@deer-1-me-0
@JHoward99 sent me a photo of the deer you guys got mate - success. Good stuff!

Originally Posted by stagstalker

@deer-1-me-0
@JHoward99 sent me a photo of the deer you guys got mate - success. Good stuff!

Well done lads. How about a little story?