Thread: Wgtn - Big Bend - Wasting my time?

Going into the Orongorongo's with the family and a whole bunch of kids and staying for a day or so in a hut near Big Bend.
Would have a couple of small windows to duck out for a hour or two - probably no point if its all bush bashing....
Am I wasting my time in that area, or worth chucking the rifle in?

Always worth chucking it in! Gets you away from the wife and kids for a few hours....

My old stamping ground !
Check the DoC maps carefully for hunting boundaries. The main river and terraces are highly populated so be safe and present a good image to the public. You will see a lot of deer prints on the riverbed but dont shoot there and they are 99% nocturnal.
Quick Options from big bend would be, open country: goat stm (check permit boundary), Sams ck (True Right just past matthews stm) and for bush creek hunting with occasional small slips: an early morning walk up Turere or Whakanui stm.
Kill as many goats as you can.

Oh also take 100% security precautions when keeping your rifle in a hut with children eg carry bolt on you at all times never left in hut; preferably ammo too. it is a great joke to chuck a live round in the fireplace.

IMHO... Only been up there a few times but every time I went there were people everywhere, tramping, walkers, runners, dogs, kids, people 4x4ing, drunk assed locals, drunk assed hunters, you frigging name it. Yeah there are yummy pests up there but you have to weigh up the risks to you and other people. The only thing worse than coming across another hunter is not coming across them...

I have culled the odd goat but the last time up there I did take the opportunity to do some spotlighting for possums with my boy not far from the hut, we had great fun and got to express my need to do some blood letting.

Up to you but the day you don't take it.... I'm always one for taking my rifle for a romantic walk.

spose you didn't have a hunting permit either eh

Originally Posted by Bagheera

My old stamping ground !
Check the DoC maps carefully for hunting boundaries. The main river and terraces are highly populated so be safe and present a good image to the public. You will see a lot of deer prints on the riverbed but dont shoot there and they are 99% nocturnal.
Quick Options from big bend would be, open country: goat stm (check permit boundary), Sams ck (True Right just past matthews stm) and for bush creek hunting with occasional small slips: an early morning walk up Turere or Whakanui stm.
Kill as many goats as you can.

Yep - checked the doc maps pretty carefully - being mid week it should be a bit quieter..... but ya never know. Cheers for this info - most appreciated, never know I might get lucky!

Hey Roddy. Are you allowed to spot light in the Rimutaka's? Seems strange with all those huts around.

pretty sure not allowed to shoot in the riverbed?

as bagherra said, goat stream. the name gives it away

Sorry about the thread hijack but I will clarify my comments.

1. I shot the goats on private land with the owners permission. It was not in fact around Big Bend but in the general area
2. We shot the possums with my sons .177
3. I will admit that I am not certain of the legalities of spotlighting possums in that area but when you swing your torch around it was like looking out at a crowd of a Elton John concert while he plays candle in the wind you think "why not".
4. When I say spot light, it was a head torch and we only about went about 50 metres radius from the hut
5. I have never been to a Elton John concert.

Originally Posted by Roddy

Sorry about the thread hijack but I will clarify my comments.

1. I shot the goats on private land with the owners permission. It was not in fact around Big Bend but in the general area
2. We shot the possums with my sons .177
3. I will admit that I am not certain of the legalities of spotlighting possums in that area but when you swing your torch around it was like looking out at a crowd of a Elton John concert while he plays candle in the wind you think "why not".
4. When I say spot light, it was a head torch and we only about went about 50 metres radius from the hut
5. I have never been to a Elton John concert.

I find point 5 to be total BS and you are just trying to divert attention

Hamish

Personally I'd head up the opposite side - Turere plateau. Can be a bit gnarly in spots but pretty open beech country and bugger all humans around!! If you do hunt true left, legally you can hunt as far down as Browns stream. Good luck!!!!

Tiny bit of older sign up Goat stream, but no animals seen.
Pretty hard country in bad weather - brought the 18 kids back out in the wet which was exciting.

Better than a couple of days at work