Wet wallabys and other questions.

Got the opportunity to chase some high country wallaby’s for the first time, weather shows some rain coming in on a couple of the days, wondering if they will tend to tuck up in the scrub when wet or are they not too fussed.
Will have a dog with us but she’s never come across hoppers so hoping she will get the hang of flushing them out. She’s pointing deer ok and loves flushing bunny’s so fingers crossed she gets the idea. Will likely have dog and handler working the scrub in the creek floor with a shooter on each flank, any tips or tactics appreciated.

Safety, make sure you are all wearing a high viz hat or vest if walking creeks, gully’s and flushing them & make sure you stay in a line and can always see each other and have a clear set of rules about cone of fire areas, there have been a few folk shot over the years when things get a bit exciting with Roos running ever which way. I always do a briefing.

Throwing stones into scrubby spots can help flush them too, setting up across gully’s and sniping them is good fun, especially late arvo when they start feeding. Take binos

Yep totally agree. Not expecting high density of Roos but will have everyone in viz including dog. Good call on the stones.

consider painting the dog......tail paint for cows will come off again and makes things a little better.... roos dont like wet vegetation...so you could be finding easy ones who dont want to run through tussock.... when dog n beater are in scrub,watch for wobblies popping out to look..... and when reach end of gully,and only bit of vegetation is size of dining table...BE ALERT....and make sure to beat that bit of scrub.....many times 2 or more wallies will be holed up in it.

Swinging shottys at wallabys at they are hopping towards you not fun.Beware under excitement.

Straight after it stops raining can be really good, they come out to warm up if the sun comes out. follow the shadow at the start and end of the day when they are looking for the first and last bit of sun.

and be aware a big wally will grab dog and give them a hiding....a real beating,when dog getting tired,keep it in close. plenty of water,MAKE dog go into every creek you near and MAKE it stay in water for a bit,they over heat fast chasing hoppers.....
shotgun...use #2s or #BBs buckshot not that flash as too many holes in pattern.....with decent goose type load you good out to 50 yards...Ive dropped them with good load of #3s but any lighter is exercise in frustration.

Some great advice there from people who know.

You'll enjoy it. Follow the above advice and you'll have a ball.

The guys who bring dogs when we're chasing rooz put blaze orange jackets on them which works well but Micky Ducks idea is great... an inexpensive and immediate solution for you. Clumps of matagouri will often hold more than one roo and the sneaky buggers will run around behind you in an effort to escape so keep your eyes open. Just because nothing flushes out at first, dont assume they're not in there because they will frequently go to ground and watch you walk past.

If you wound one and need to dispatch it by hand, keep clear of those back wheels. Just as MD said about them giving your dog a hiding, so too they can give you reason to say naughty words.

Most importantly, make sure you do a trip report for us all to enjoy once you get home.

:thumbsup:

Watch your dogs feet. It’s not summer but a mates dog was down to all pads bleeding within hours.

Lots of good advice there...A long time ago when employed by the South Canterbury Wallaby Board we organized a lot of roo drives
for different groups,NZDA etc. The biggest danger was guys getting out of line and lagging behind.
Roos that cut back behind these lines would be shot at by the guys lagging behind resulting in cross fire situations at times,not great.
Those new to drives had a bad habit of swinging onto a moving roo with all there focus locked only on the target,finger on trigger,following through and then letting strip...forgetting there may be someone where that roo is headed. I've seen two young guys end up on their backs being whacked by shotgun wounds,,bloody scary.
I was that close to being shot myself on one occasion from a .270 pill hitting less than half a mtr above my head.
The fool that did that was on the far side of the gully opposite. He later told me all was good as he could see me in his scope as well as the roo..he was in charge of the NZDA drive that day.
That was my last time helping out and trying to teach the young ones on roo drives.
Common sense and learn to stay cool and focused at all times when doing a drive eh.

Appreciate all the words of wisdom gents. Might see if I can pick up a set of dog boots just in case dog gets foot sore. Will def put together a trip report afterwards.

pay to have walkie talkies and try to keep each other posted on where you are relative to some landmark the others can see. A roo is not worth potentially shooting your mate

I have made 1000's of dog booties over the years. Its a good idea to put them on before your dogs feet get sore. And if they do get sore, dont push them to keep going, booties or not, cos it can really keep them off the hill for a couple of weeks. Once your dog knows what you're after, he will not want to stop and it will be up to you to take him back to the vehicle and then you carry on.
The best ammo I've used is Rio Mini Mag #2's, and if you're disciplined aim for head or shoulder shots. A good wallaby hunt is fun, lots of fun. And the farmers appreciate every dead wallaby. Look forward to the report when you get back.

And if you are hunting on private property then make sure the farmer knows you are bringing your dog rather than just turning up with it and... make sure its wormed intime and bring worming certificate.

Woow doinit,seeing you in the scope of a 270 as he following a roo,ffs.

I agree Trout, what kind of person thinks that even pointing a loaded gun in someones direction is ok let alone firing the shot when you "know" you are firing above the person. FFS, some people eh.

a bit of a trip report post in the magazine section if anyone is interested....