Bet you though it was about shooting further huh ?
Naa, long weekend trip to scope out some new hunting areas, a bit further than I would normally go.
Mrs ebf's birthday was on Friday, and since her favorite activity is road trips down the backroads of NZ, it was time to pack the mighty micro campervan again and off we went.
Brekkie at Cahoots in Greytown, nice way to start the day. Then thru the Manawatu Gorge, and time to explore access to the western Ruahines. We went up the Pohangina Valley road, and checked out a couple of locations listed in the SpotX book. Definitely more deer up this way than in Welly, saw some Rusa Sambar VERY close to the road :thumbsup: Initially did not now what I was looking at, but after a quick txt msg conference with Kiwi39 we decided they must be Rusa Sambar. Only real problem was that throwing mepps spinners at them did not seem to work... Note to self for next time, pack the fishing rods AND THE RIFLE !
Late afternoon stop at the Pillars of Hercules in Kaimanawa. Very cool suspension bridge, it flexes massively :D
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Then up to Taupo. Next morning we explored the other side of the Kaimanawas. Can see why Clements Mill Rd is so popular. Mrs ebf saw the back end of a fleeing deer from the road, probably Sika for that area.
Early morning Kaimanawa cupa
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Lunch spot was further along the Taupo Napier road, and a quick look at the Kawekas. Fark ! Steep, rough country up there... :o
On the way to Ohakune I popped in to have a look at the start of the Tongariro Crossing, on my tramping wish-list for the next 12 months.
Very interesting trip, crazy amount of hunting spots around the Taupo area, and I will definitely look at doing some overnighters up to the Ruahines.
