How did you all get on? We missed out but first time applying so no surprises.
Will be back in the draw next year crossing toes and fingers.
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How did you all get on? We missed out but first time applying so no surprises.
Will be back in the draw next year crossing toes and fingers.
No luck for me. 3rd time trying.
Wonder if GD got a block..
Missed out again!!
We got Lake Katherine, first period, first time in ballot, nice to have a hut for a base. Any info on block from previous winners of that block would be awesome.
Got mid burn second period any info would be great.
Been in the Doon and any one wants any info will try to help out
Catseye 1st period for our party, this will be our second time in Wap country, we had George river last year if anyone wants some info.
Any info on the Catseye would be much appreciated, cheers
We will see you at the briefing Kimber08 as we have the first period too.
Just in case others are interested in knowing where these guys are talking about. Amazing country.
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We got Dark River in the 2nd. Might hand it back as I think other plans are in the making.
3nd time entering and 3rd time getting a block.
When do you have to apply to get in the draw?
Looking forward to all these build ups and trip reports :thumbsup:
I'm curious about the ballots. If you are lucky enough to get drawn for a particular period then you just drop everything and go? How do you get access? For those that have gone before how long did you go for, and what was your total cost? I have been wondering for a while and Keen to get more info :)
We missed out. But only chose the good blocks for 1st and 2nd periods so much lower chance of getting a block.
@CamFlatt - visit fwf.net.nz
Ballots for the bugle period have now been drawn so you have to wait to next year. You get notified around now of the results, that gives you a few months to arrange time off and plan. Every block is different, they're all accessed differently and that obviously makes the associated costs different. I've had trips into Fiordland that have cost less than $400, and some as much as $2000. Its a unique opportunity t get a block during the bugle, so generally I'd suggest going in for the entire time you've got the block for. We've had to pull pin twice, once because a mate got very ill, and another time we only went in for a couple of days because the weather was so bad we were completely wasting our time.
Simon Gibson wrote a good book on the blocks. And google is your friend for info on forums or videos on YouTube etc.
If you want to hear a wapiti bugling, try to get a ballot block. If you just want a chance to actually see one and or shoot one (provided it's a decent animal) then I would say you would be better off going in before the ballot period when the weather is better and bulls are still grouped up
Only closed mid feb to end of April
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I reckon they should shut the hunting up in there for a few years.
Same as the Glennorky whitetail.
There are no pure waps left. Should let what is left have a chance to mature.
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They should, but never would
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Ok. Here's the "Duley Method" as I understand it.
Step 1: Enter the ballot, like everyone else.
If he draws a block, job done.
If not, onto Step 2.
Step 2: Go to Te Anau anyway, with hunting gear but having not drawn a block (he is usually a guest speaker at the briefing anyway).
Step 3: Speak to Wapiti Foundation organizers and pickup any block whose party failed to turn up to briefing (its compulsory to attend briefing). Many parties fail to show up, once they realise how steep the place is, time off work, money.. or whatever.
Step 4: Quickly gather relevant maps and arrange transport to block.
Step 5: Get accused of "rigging" a ballot that is conducted under police observation.
As told to me by their former cameraman.
Couldn't care less how the Duleys get a ballot block. Rather have them getting a block and hunting it ethically, than others that won't.
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Only way they'll ever make any progress in there if they want any kind of hope of strengthening the Wap bloodlines is to do as @R93 suggested and close it off to hunting for a few years, and then introduce a Tag system like in the states that allows you to shoot only an animal of a certain class and age. My opinion, based on photos of even "the best" wap bloodlines in there, is that they're pretty far gone
More regulation and more rules.
Stick them fair up your bum.
It should be free for all, and so should everything else.
Go hunt ya local doc block and shoot every young stag you can find, see how that goes for ya ;)
Finally watched an episode that was on a mates my sky of the Duleys program the other day and it happened to be on the wap blocks.
They left a nice bull to get some age and hopefully grow out a weak side of it antlers. They even did a presentation on why they left it at a briefing.
The next party ethically left the bull alone as well.
Only for some lowlife who pestered them as to where it was and claimed they wouldn't shoot it, ended up shooting it when they went in after they told him where it was.
I'm all for a trial of rules and regs.
I would like to see some areas have herds of special interest status applied to them and see if proper game management as they have in North America will work here.
The Wap blocks and mainland whitetail herds would a good start.
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Of course I agree with you @R93.
I'm just worried it's another step towards losing all our rifles and end up needing the government's permission to fill my freezer
And be careful what you wish for. The current regime is rules and regs and has improved things for all as I understand. Definitely an improvement on the way things were. If you want a quality hunting experience regarding the quality of animals then a degree of management is needed. People in NZ have proven time and again that if left to individuals to make the right decision that many do not. I am personally all for a hunting licence and some form of management if it is run by hunters and results in a more united front and a better hunting experience. But I also think that places are needed where young hunters and those who aren't interested in trophies can hunt freely in the way they want to.
So hopefully those concerned about firearms as above at least had a go and put their submission in back in Oct? Didn't see many actually - tying in a few names came across a few but not as many as i expected - it's numbers that will count at the end of the day, just saying....funny thing is that from the many thousands on both forums, just a few hundred throughout NZ submitted..wow. Don't be so concerned i guess??
Blocks are closed from 31st dec from now on so can't go in before. Has been some issues in the past few years
that is what i read too,,
ive been in there three times and my experience tells me the vegetation is not of a quality to support a decent trophy herd,,the foundation is not being aggressive enough,,back in 74 i wrote to one of the hunting magazines that we needed less deer rather than more if we wanted decent trophies,,after the helicopters did their job we now have outstanding animals but if we have a too big a buildup they will decline again,,NOTHING SURER
The foundation are doing a great job of culling. Its not an easy or cheap task and the area is absolutely massive , remember they are only volunteers .
this Stinks.....
in Aus, it feels like theres mostly 26 inchers in the mountains, anything bigger has slowly been spotlighted and the back log of those mature ones has slowed up, proberly to a normal number but after a boom of years, it seems noticable. thats another kettle of fish though,
but bottom line was we leave one to grow and it typically gets shot shortly after.. closen up fiord wapiti area would be a good start to encourage the FWF an their story
Me and my uncle drew Worsley 1st period. Flying over from aus to hear them bugle hopefully 🤞