Thread: Useless at bush hunting

Originally Posted by Trout

Rifle should be hanging on sholder till you near yr truck.Two seconds you lineing up deer thru scope.Bang flop.
Next time ah,at least you seen one.Good on ya.

I dont carry slings with my rifles. Easier to shoot a Deer when you are holding a rifle

I think it can also depend on how much hunting pressure they are under.

If a lot, it's a lot harder to be successful than deer that potentially have never seen a hunter before.

Try hunting some easier open areas for a while and get a few on the deck. Once you have a few under your belt you will stop having constant existential angst about your abilities as a hunter. Once you aren’t so frustrated about not getting anything, and have a more chill mindset the deer seem to appear far more regularly. It doesn’t make scientific sense but as many will attest it seems to be a real thing. Im not an accomplished bush hunter by any means but the ones I have seen in the bush (before they have seen me) have been near or between some sort of grassy clearings which they like to go in an out of for browsing.

Firstly, you're not useless, you're learning and learning takes time and persistence. I've been hunting for a bit over two years, the deer I've bagged have been on feral on stations. My public land hunting has resulted in zero deer on the deck so far. I use google earth to identify area's that look like they will hold deer and over time that has honed my intuition about where they are going to be. I started out with long armed walks and not even seeing any real sign, then I started to get onto sign and then fresh, like this morning fresh sign and then I started finding animals...from a distance as they charged off because I was intent on "making progress" rather than stopping and looking.

My most memorable was up above the Lindis. I spent a couple hours slogging my way up onto a open ridge, worked along it for half an hour and stopped for a brew. Whilst the billy was on I was just sitting there, scanning a bit and enjoying the view......after maybe 15 minutes two, yes TWO spikers came up from below, skirted the bowl directly below me and came up to my left and popped over the ridge behind me.......the whole time this was happening I was cursing myself for leaving my rifle over there-------------------->

Lesson learned the hard way, keep going, you WILL get there

@Zedrex see post 30-31 common theme lmfao hearing it all too often as of late....

Originally Posted by matto1234

I personally find drizzle/light rain helps, keeps the scent and noise down and i usually end up right on top of one before either of us realise

Sounds like some Kaimai wisdom. I've found the same on many occasions over the years. Sometimes you get more of a surprise than the deer. Added bonus is a bit of rain seems to keep a few punters at home.

Different species but you may find this of interest.

https://youtu.be/tuUsf2vWBSk?si=bNDgYEgnKYzmcdDs

If you persist, and learn to hunt actual native bush (not slips, forestry, open country), then you can hunt anywhere. Suggest you persist learning that area really well. You have proof there are good animals in there. Think of each trip as developing your hunting area and skills. Learn how to navigate through the thick stuff (where they often are) to get to the more "huntable" areas. It pays to have a sense of humour when your physically fighting to get your body through thick supplejack and a deer busts out on the other side. Keep going back to work out where the freshest sign is and note the time of year. If you can hunt over winter, the better. Windy, rainy days are the best, and provide natural cover for your movements. There is something to going slower in good feed areas with lots of sign. That helps you also to maintain concentration levels, as typically after 7 or 8 hours on foot, your tired, and it's close to 4pm and the animals are actually on the move. Taking food and a drink - making a cup of tea or coffee by a stunning stream and forcing yourself to slow down helps with this. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your body movements will be. There is something immensely satisfying when you crack it and start taking animals out of a "tough" area to hunt. You will become such an effective hunter, if you persist.

One other thing, for your sanity, even the best hunters that post bush hunting videos on youtube have "zero" days. This is normal.

Originally Posted by Trout

Rifle should be hanging on sholder till you near yr truck.Two seconds you lineing up deer thru scope.Bang flop.
Next time ah,at least you seen one.Good on ya.

Was really close to a public road and the truck, so didn't expect to see one mid day.

Im just pleased you seen one HJ.Next time ah.

Originally Posted by Trout

Im just pleased you seen one HJ.Next time ah.

Thanks Trout it was still a great trip, didn't get it on film either.

I found it‘s utmost important to be ready at all times!
And one other thing - use your binos - even in the bush, you‘d be surprised!

Thanks for all the advice. ill have another go in the morning

Just leave your bolt at home, guaranteed to see deer then

Originally Posted by Brad S

Thanks for all the advice. ill have another go in the morning

You have the advantage of doing it.
Every time you go out you have a better chance than those still at home.
Back when I was in my 20s 1980 on I was happy to spook one when out and maybe shoot one odds of about 1 in 6 wanders.
You are doing the right things and it will happen.
The only thing I should've done was use a dog earlier.
Being a shepherd I should have used one of my working dogs.
Training a deer dog is simple compared to a working dog.

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