Thread: Tops Hunting Tips

Tops Hunting Tips,

All of my hunting up until now has been North Island bush, river flats and slips hunting, recently relocated to the Top of the South Island and would like to get try my luck at hunting the open tops around the area as we move into spring.

Any tips on how to approach the upcoming spring and summer Tops hunting season, I assume late November before we will see animals making their way high for spring growth and the yearlings kicked off?

Essential equipment besides a rifle and a good set of binos, assume a range finder will be a good investment anything else from you seasoned pros?

Slowly getting fitter but been mid 50’s I am probably past my peak and never going to be quick up the mountains, slow and steady hopefully still gets me up the hill….



Cheers FBD

Hi mate, pm me if you’re keen to team up.. I only tops hunt. As for gear, a set of walking poles and a pack you can strap your rifle to, a spotting scope comes in handy, def binos, a rifle you can dial out to 4-500 yards is a bonus, if you over night which helps with factoring in the climb then wind sturdy tent and sleeping pad. Wind proof, water proof layer. Gloves. The wind up high can be brutal even out of winter. Other than that just get after it, you’ll soon figure out which areas get pressure and which get overlooked. If you love the mountains and the grind of getting up into the hard to get mountainous areas then an animal becomes a bonus. Generally speaking, there are always animals in the tops, however late summer before autumn is when the alpine/sub alpine growth seems to really kick off and the deer seem to mob up in the tops to feed. Oh and a plb…

Get a good vantage point a couple of hours before sunset or just before sunrise with the wind right and use your binos. The deer can be sitting in the tussock all day and not be seen until they stand up. Take a 400mm square of foam bed roll to sit on. Some shooting sticks could be handy. Shooting over pack in tussock can be frustrating sometimes.

A square of foam to sit on while glassing.

Walking poles to double as shooting sticks for getting above the tussock.

Wide-brimmed hat.

Ha ha, @RUMPY - you best me to it

a water bottle.....didnt do so for years..always water around,but its nice not to have to loose altitude to get it.
patience...my biggest downfall other than fitness...... the ability to just sit and watch is golden.

Originally Posted by Jus

Hi mate, pm me if you’re keen to team up.. I only tops hunt. As for gear, a set of walking poles and a pack you can strap your rifle to, a spotting scope comes in handy, def binos, a rifle you can dial out to 4-500 yards is a bonus, if you over night which helps with factoring in the climb then wind sturdy tent and sleeping pad. Wind proof, water proof layer. Gloves. The wind up high can be brutal even out of winter. Other than that just get after it, you’ll soon figure out which areas get pressure and which get overlooked. If you love the mountains and the grind of getting up into the hard to get mountainous areas then an animal becomes a bonus. Generally speaking, there are always animals in the tops, however late summer before autumn is when the alpine/sub alpine growth seems to really kick off and the deer seem to mob up in the tops to feed. Oh and a plb…

Thanks Jus thats a kind offer.

Not sure if I enjoy the grind up, but man when I get up there in the mountains, it is good for the soul.

Great info on the gear thanks everyone, will have to do a bit of shopping.

Cheers FBD

Leave very early in the morning for a big hill climb,like 3am 4am.Bet the sun to the tops,nice and cool for hill climbing in the dark with a good head lamp.

Good headlamp:
https://www.piercingthedarkness.co.n...d25lr-headlamp

Very easy to put a spare battery in a case and take that with you too.

Thought I was only one who does my travel in the pitch black haha good to know I’m not the only mad bastard!!

Originally Posted by Joe_90

Good headlamp:
https://www.piercingthedarkness.co.n...d25lr-headlamp

Very easy to put a spare battery in a case and take that with you too.

I splashed out a while ago and got the Cyansky HS6R - great headlamp if not a bit heavy

https://www.piercingthedarkness.co.n...e/cyansky-hs6r

Range finder and dial up scope are next on the list, maybe the sig BDX combo

Let your binos do the the walking...
Try and get above the animals if possible.
Resist the temptation to walk on top of the ridge, sky lining yourself.
Watch out for Spaniard grass
Enjoy the views !!!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Sig BDX is a good system. Definitely rate having binos, range finder, and solution in one package as it saves tons of time and faffing. Might not be as important on the SI tops as you’ll probably have more time but bloody NI deer love to wander across slips pretty quick sometimes

Originally Posted by Jus

Thought I was only one who does my travel in the pitch black haha good to know I’m not the only mad bastard!!

No, some of us also walk up hills way too early in the day

The best time to hunt the tops is when you can. It is just awesome being up there.