New hunter in Waitaki looking for some pointers

Hey everybody,

I'm from the Netherlands and fairly new to hunting. I'm staying in the Oamaru area for 6 months and I've started hunting the local DOC hunting blocks. Unfortunately, I'm limited to hunting with a crossbow since I do not have a New Zealand firearms license.

I'm having a great time tramping around the Glencoe and Waianakarua areas, but have not seen anything as of yet. The thing is that it's hard to stay stealthy in the thick brush and tall tussocks on the slopes. Does anybody who hunts in the area (not necessarily these hunting blocks) have any tips relating to which entry points to take, possible routes to walk to remain somewhat quiet, or maybe even a tip for landowners in the area who would be willing to let me hunt their private properties?

So in short, any tips are welcome. I want to make the most out of my limited time here, and I would love to have a successful hunt! I don't have any particular target species.

Come up to waimate and hunt some wallabies,that will be something very different for you.

Just a matter of time before you bump into something in the Wainak put in the work and you shall be rewarded i hunt there regularly. Also plenty of doc blocks around to explore. 2x Hakataramea near Kurow, studholm up Waimate, Oteake in the Danseys pass. Plenty of animals in all blocks mentioned.
Welcome to paradise, you can't beat North Otago

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Thank you for the encouraging words! In your experience, at what distance do you usually encounter animals?

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Originally Posted by Grendel

Just a matter of time before you bump into something in the Wainak put in the work and you shall be rewarded i hunt there regularly. Also plenty of doc blocks around to explore. 2x Hakataramea near Kurow, studholm up Waimate, Oteake in the Danseys pass. Plenty of animals in all blocks mentioned.
Welcome to paradise, you can't beat North Otago

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You got your name in the hat for mayor?

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Originally Posted by IamGroot

Thank you for the encouraging words! In your experience, at what distance do you usually encounter animals?

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Sub 40m was last wainak deer taken. Ive got a handy dog that indicates if there is any deer in the vicinity so that gives me an advantage.



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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Come up to waimate and hunt some wallabies,that will be something very different for you.

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Which hunting block around there do you recommend??

Mt studholme has plenty of wallabies, hook bush route is worth a walk, head up to the tops and glass, was up there a few weeks ago and shot a few within 100-200m, definitely could stalk in closer if wanted too

Yes hook bush,walk up from bottom until you break out of gorse....or seen as though your range limited by bow, stalk inside the native bush NOT the gorse... Your ears are often as important as eyes with wallabies if in the bush,can hear them hopping along and get ready at times.

Thanks for these tips! I'll make sure to pay Hook's bush a vists soon

Did you contact your local NZ Deer stalkers association. They should be helpful with buddying up with someone or join a party hunt.

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Originally Posted by Nakihunter

Did you contact your local NZ Deer stalkers association. They should be helpful with buddying up with someone or join a party hunt.

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Yeah I tried that but so far no response. I'll try again soon because it's a good idea

Still no luck in the Wainak block, although I could hear and smell something walking close by this morning, the brush was too thick to see and it was gone by the time I was able to sneak around to get a view.

I was thinking of going up to Waimate this weekend but I read that it can get very busy there some weekends. Is it better to go during a weekday or just avoid holiday weekends?

Go whenever you feel like a walk...if lots of cars at road end,either go to plan B... Or stay in the tall native and have day playing bush hobbit.

when you can pm got in touch will take you out for wander up mt peel . busy next few weekends but should be free after that