Thread: Woodhill ballot - block 1

Hi, we've been lucky enough to get block 1 at the end of June. Received the permit and map today

My son and I are planning to walk in before first light, although we're not sure where to head. Walking out to the dunes seems like a reasonable approach first thing.

Any pointers from anyone who has hunted the block (or other blocks and might have some insights into the deer behaviour) will be greatly appreciated.

Check out this thread. I posted as much info as I could remember. By chance I've drawn Block 1 again. My hunting date is after yours, I'd appreciate an update.

Thanks MB. Can you send please repost the link to the thread? Not seeing it above. I'll let you know how we get on.

Sorry!

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-advice-84581/

Excellent info there. Thank you very much!

Hi MB, we saw a few Does early on up on top of the sand dunes in the tussock. Then a few more running across the track at different times through the day - and one laying on the track that we had a good look at. Saw a couple in the bush off the track, but didn't get close to them. Had a pretty big pig run across the track - a near miss. Saw 1 Spiker and 9 Does for the day - no Bucks. Didn't have a great spot for the last couple of hours - tried to set ourselves up towards the Southern end of the block, looking back from the dunes to the tree line. The wind was all over the place. Spooked a couple walking out just after dark. If I was there again, I think I'd go up on top of the dunes first thing, then spend a bit more time in the northern part of the block off Lone Pine Rd - it opens up a bit more and saw a bit of Buck sign up there. The Defence Force "NO ENTRY" sign caused us to double check the map! But all good. What a great spot Good luck for your trip, look forward to hearing how you get on.

Thanks for taking the time to reply Clifford. So many people ask for advice and never report back.

Were the 4x4 guys doing their thing on the beach at any point during the day? You would have heard them, very noisy.

The 4x4 guys were playing on the dunes most of the day. It sounded like motorbikes to the north of the block. Only saw a couple of vehicles when we were up on the dunes; heard plenty of others.

Not block 1 related but Woodhill related.

We had block 8 last weekend, really over grown since last year and in the south westerly wind and rain it made for really hard hunting! We saw 4 but two were bucks managed to score a doe with a 250yd neck shot with the .223.

Once you get amongst the Toi Toi its almost impossible to see anything

I think hunting in the pines would be the best bet.

Good luck everyone.

To finish this thread...

Hunted Block 1 with a mate yesterday. Saw a doe on the main road as we walked in, but shooting down the road is not allowed, so left it alone. We walked across the top of the dunes in to the wind first thing in the morning, but it was already too late. Judging by the fresh tracks, they had already gone back in to the bush. My mate and me had separate opportunities late morning in the toetoe close to the dunes, but we both blew it! I shot a pig at lunchtime in the northern end of the block. Saw quite a few deer in the evening on the dunes, but they were either spikers or we couldn't get a shot away for various reasons. An enjoyable day hunting despite the rain for the latter half of the day.

Cheers for the info.