Another one from Auckland

Hello Everyone.

new to this forum and hunting.
have done a bit of hunting in the past when i lived in Wanganui, mostly private land owned by kind and considerate farmers.

Did do a trip last weekend to Tangihua forest (North) looking for goats. We entered from the south end (omana rd). Not a soul in sight. Tramped for 3 hours or so, north.
Returned empty handed. i could see a lot of signs like tracks in the bushes, etc. I do know that we were doing something wrong (us being nubies).
Any hints/tips from the experienced lots here would be much appreciated. I do plan to go back to the same place in march.

Regards,
Amit

Welcome to the forum cdexter

Welcome. Make sure the wind is in your face.....

Welcome cdexter. Enjoy and as wirehunt says keep the wind in your face.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cdexter

Hello Everyone.

new to this forum and hunting.
have done a bit of hunting in the past when i lived in Wanganui, mostly private land owned by kind and considerate farmers.

Did do a trip last weekend to Tangihua forest (North) looking for goats. We entered from the south end (omana rd). Not a soul in sight. Tramped for 3 hours or so, north.
Returned empty handed. i could see a lot of signs like tracks in the bushes, etc. I do know that we were doing something wrong (us being nubies).
Any hints/tips from the experienced lots here would be much appreciated. I do plan to go back to the same place in march.

Regards,
Amit

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They tend to be in the Northwestern parts of the forest, but there are better places to hunt really.
If traveling from Auckland, try King Country DOC reserves or by Kawhia. They are crawling with goats.

Welcome cdexter, another Jafa on board....we will have to hire a mini bus soon......

Welcome to the forum.

welcome mate i was a orklander once and the easiest way to find goats is to go were you know they are and then shootem!!!!!.......in fact shoot the hell out of them.what are you hunting them with? fiddy cal???

I would suggest a few things here. The wind in your face bit is important but to get that you need to understand the general wind direction in the area so worth looking at a topo map and looking at the prevailing wind and the weather forecast. ie you may be better to enter from the North. Goats are noisy and you are often best to find a good spot to listen and wait for a few bleats or learn to bleat yourself and listen for an answer. Bleating like a kid goat in trouble/looking for it's mum works well. target areas with food for them and if using a rifle as opposed to a real weapon like a bow, make sure you have good visibility and use the cover carefully to move from vantage point to vantage point. Hunt slowly and stop to listen often just below the tops of any little ridges etc and use your nose. They tend to stink!! Goats aren't super smart or difficult to approach but you need to make sure you aren't dummer than they are!! Other posts are right. Go where the goats are and DOC will normally point you in the right direction. Good luck but better still, ask experienced hunters you know - particularly successful bow hunters - to take you a few times. Bow hunters tend to think more as they have to to get close. Advanced Archery in auckland might have some names for you in your area or your hunting area.