Thread: Where would you "Go Bush" on South Island

Hello everyone,

2 months to go now before my epic solo bowhunting and fishing trip to your amazing South Island, flights booked, 4wd hire booked, 2 nights in Christchurch hotel at start and then freedom to go where ever. My camping gear is just about finalised, all
cleaned or new to get through bio security, my recurve bow is tuned and arrow recipe finalised and my basic fishing gear is ready.
The hardest part of organising the whole trip is deciding on a rough itinerary, there is so many amazing places I could go, but I know that trying to do too much could be detrimental to my experience. I'll be in Country for 4 weeks from 9th February until 9th March and as part of the trip I would like to "Go Bush" for at least 10 days away from the car and roads. I've found in the past by spending this amount of time, or more, in one locality you can really get to know a place, almost feel the spirit of the land. My favourite terrain is wooded hills where the trees reach up to the ridges, so foothills I guess rather than open alpine tops. I'm looking for an area like that which contains Goats and pigs, maybe deer, but also trout streams.
So my question is if you had 10 to 14 days spare to spend in one location and I don't mind a long walk in, what area would you go to. I'm not after exact locations of animals, finding them is all part of it, but, of course 1080 would have to be avoided.
I have a few places in mind, from my hours of flying over with Google earth.
I should say that I have purchased a Garmin Inreach mini 2 as well as a PLB, I have good kit and I am experienced in backcountry trekking in the UK and Norway, it's the towns and cities I have trouble in.

Many thanks,

Nick