Whakatipu Whitetail

I'm heading to Queenstown in May this year and id love to see a White Tail. I know this herd (on public land) is very fragile and in low numbers so i'm not really interested in shooting any, would just love to see and photograph and main land White Tail. I will be hunting Chamois though as well. I honestly dont know where to start but if I had to guess id try near the boundary of the Doc to Private Land in the Dart Valley. I guess i could also pop into the local Doc office to ask. I'm not after any one's spot X, but if anyone could put me in the right direction that would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

They don’t allow hunting but if you are just keen to photograph you could contact https://paradisetrust.nz/ and see if you can have a look round with a camera. Saw a few whitetail when we stayed there last Easter.

Park at Chinamen's bluff early in the morning.Walk up the Dart river about 10ks,you might stumble on one.Buitifull part of the country down there.

Thankyou Trout, thats what i'm after...

Can you drive up to Chinamans Bluff Trout?

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Originally Posted by avon_7

Can you drive up to Chinamans Bluff Trout?

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Yep and if you head up on first light you will be able to take pictures of them on the side of the road.
Just don't wave a rifle around as the locals are very protective of that herd and it is private property on the way to Chinamans

About 20yrs ago 12ks up the river i shot a white tail buck,number 38 in NZ records at the time.End of May,doc permit an all.I didnt know at the time until 2weeks later Kerry at Pleasant Point told me it was a top trophy.I didnt know much at the time,it was just another deer swimming across the river.About a k befor i seen him,i would walk slowly 10 mtrs and stop,turn slowly 360 degrees and walk another 10 mtrs turn and look around,repeat this for a hr or so.The forest was so still and quiet except for a few birds singing away.I walked right above him,he took off into the river at speed.He didnt know it but i shot hunreds of roos on the hopp with the mozzy 308,so he was a big easy target as he climbed out of the river 70yds away.Bang flop half of him still in the river,i climb down the bank thru the bush,crossed the rivers freezing water and walked up to him.Hmm he s not a red,bloody whitetail.Floated him across the river,cut his head off,my knife couldnt cut thru his 2 inch thick winter coat.Sand flys were eating me,so rolled him under the back and covered him up.Climbed up the bank to the track,pulled a hamstring,fk it.So i hobbled 12 ks slowly back to the truck several hours later and i was buggerd,could hardly walk.I took the next day off work.Ge i got carryed away here with a story.Never mnd, give you guys something to read.

That's Epic!

I was a fit young 50 then,not so much now.lols

I seem to remember a report you did on it on the old forum

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Originally Posted by whanahuia

I seem to remember a report you did on it on the old forum

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Ok il complete the story with a photo.
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Bloody awesome thank-you for the story and the motivation.

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Originally Posted by Trout

Ok il complete the story with a photo.
Attachment 240944

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Pretty sure you got a nice Red and maybe a Fallow as well ? @Trout

Ok Jeff just for you,my 5 sons.
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Originally Posted by Trout

Ok il complete the story with a photo.
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Wow, I did not know NZ has whitetail also. :O . So Red, Fallow, Elk/Wapiti, Whitetail, Any other deer? Any Axis or Muntjac?

Nice trophy Trout

Rusa and Sambar. Axis were released but disappeared never to be seen again.

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Originally Posted by Inder

Wow, I did not know NZ has whitetail also. :O . So Red, Fallow, Elk/Wapiti, Whitetail, Any other deer? Any Axis or Muntjac?

Nice trophy Trout

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Rusa, sambar & sika also

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Originally Posted by whanahuia

Rusa and Sambar. Axis were released but disappeared never to be seen again.

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I'm referring to Australia now, but Chital Deer dont seem as hardy as some breeds. Aside from the famous herd in Charters Towers in Australia, there are a few little pockets in NSW and Northern QLD but they dont seem as tough as Rusa. I'm surprised the Rusa have not spread further in NZ because they have done really well in Australia and are found all over the place these days.

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Originally Posted by avon_7

I'm referring to Australia now, but Chital Deer dont seem as hardy as some breeds. Aside from the famous herd in Charters Towers in Australia, there are a few little pockets in NSW and Northern QLD but they dont seem as tough as Rusa. I'm surprised the Rusa have not spread further in NZ because they have done really well in Australia and are found all over the place these days.

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Too accessible to hunting so have been controlled

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Originally Posted by avon_7

I'm referring to Australia now, but Chital Deer dont seem as hardy as some breeds. Aside from the famous herd in Charters Towers in Australia, there are a few little pockets in NSW and Northern QLD but they dont seem as tough as Rusa. I'm surprised the Rusa have not spread further in NZ because they have done really well in Australia and are found all over the place these days.

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Could be right, maybe not as tough as other species.
Where I have seen them overseas they are generally in warmer climates than here. Maybe if they had been released in the far North of NZ they might have had a better chance.
Supremely beautiful deer. I once had a big 6 point in my scope but declined the shot as the head was in velvet. So far, no chance to try again.

That’s a bloody nice whitetail. Congrats.

Anybody know how the whitetails are handling the deer repellent 1080 drops?

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Originally Posted by whanahuia

Rusa and Sambar. Axis were released but disappeared never to be seen again.

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tried to find some info when how etc but huemel deer from South America were released but wiped out quickly as were mule deer - and of course we have a small herd of Pere David Deer behind wire bought in I believe by Sir Tim Wallis from a herd in England

I understand Mt Hutt Station have the only herd of Pere David's in NZ now