Oamaru Private Hutt (east of Taupo) any recent reports?

Hi guys, a group of us are flying into this hut next week, (just east of Taupo). Has anyone been in the area lately or can offer any feedback on animal numbers in the general area please? Thanks.

Hi Karl, I used to have a recurring booking, last weekend Nov, but have discontinued it, as place has been shot to sh*t.
Both from poachers coming across river from the public hut and Helisika having endless streams of hunters booked in.
Low numbers now and they are pretty much nocturnal due to pressure.
You'll see a ton of deer across the river on Porunui, esp them catching the sun up on the hillsides after the cold frosty nights.
The water from the tap in the hut is full of crap from the stream behind the hut, so take a filter and plenty of aquatabs.

went up there september last year, all the deer seem to be tucked in the shitty scrub, we saw a few but didnt have any luck. i did shoot the antler off an 8 pointer on the first day tho.

Went there last February. No animals sighted and we hunted early dawn to last light so feel the deer are largely nocturnal. They get a hell of a hiding,constant bookings through helisika but the fringes of the manuka/scrubby shit did have sign so watching and waiting may pay off if you've got the patience. Good hut,only 4 stretchers in there when we went so enquire if you need more beds.
Go as far up the oamaru river side as you can,better sign there or sneak over the sika saddle and hug the scrub edges.
Look forward to the trip report,good luck.

Deer are where you find them ,have a good trip

Still arseholes spotlighting around public Oamaru and across the river as of this weekend.