Red Deer "Roar" Hunt

[Kiwi]

Last weekend I spent a week hunting the near the Waiatoto Valley in South Westland, New Zealand. A very remote and scenic area. Its well known for low deer numbers but a chance of a big stag - and I can confirm both facts are correct! I didn't see a deer all week but noticed some very big stag prints too.

Anyway, as with all hunting trips they are enjoyable for spending time with friends and the wilderness. Here are a few iphone photos.

Solo camp for three nights


Native Falcon


Main Valley we hunted


Spot the chamois


A closer view (52 yards)


View from camp

 

[SFC B]

So the lucky Chamois got to walk?

 

[Southwind]

Very nice, bring on more

 

[Gerald Martin]

*Drooling.

 

[JMG]

Very cool stuff. My wife went to Australia and New Zealand a while ago w/ her mother and stated she enjoyed New Zealand so much she would like to go back there rather than Australia. I might even get to go with next time . If I do, I would love to see New Zealand from "off the beaten path". Thanks for posting.

 

[Irrelevant]

Steeeeeeeep

 

[theat]

Spectacular! New Zealand is right at the top of my list of places to visit.

 

[teamhoyt]

Awesome! Can't wait to get over there!

 

[Kiwi]

Thanks for the comments guys.

SFC B - yes the chamois walked. I was looking for a 10 inch buck and only saw smaller chamois.

JMG - Glad your wife enjoyed her trip here. I'm sure you'd enjoy a trip here too (especially if you’re planning to hunt).

Teamhoyt - Keep in touch and let me know your plans when you have something confirmed.

 

[kiwi hunter]

amazing how the chamois are spotted in the same terrain most times,,txks for post

 

[Nutria]

Wow! What a landscape!
The falcon looks cool!
Is it a Maori Falcon?

 

[Kiwi]

Yeah, the falcon are very cool to watch. The full name is New Zealand Falcon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_falcon

They are pretty quick and have read they can reach speeds of up to 230km an hour!

 

[AussieHunter]

Nice Pictures Kiwi. I willbe over in late June for Tahr.

For all the blokes wanting to come down and hunt NZed make the airline ticket cost worth it and try and organise a Sambar deer hunt in the Victorian High Country of Australia. A big elusive deer in thick country.

And for a experience you will never forget - being honked by a Sambar. Not my video but shamelessly stolen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTaSEwAQNM0

 

[Kiwi]

Thanks AussieHunter. Where are you tahr hunting?

Very cool honking vid. Sounds a bit like a red deer bark as we call it. Is the honking an alarm / warning call?

 

[AussieHunter]

Kiwi I dont know the exact location yet, that will be upto to the guide, but west coast south island. Hunt will be 6 days based out of a cabin a long helicopter flight in.

 

[Kiwi]

Sounds good aussiehunter, best of luck. I'll be down that way next month too for tahr hunt. One of the best hunts around IMHO.

 

[1_pointer]

Great pics of some stunning country. I hate to keep saying it, but "someday"...