NZ Hunter Issue 87

The Christmas break is over and I hope you all managed to make the most of it. We were able to squeeze in a couple of epic trips that you’ll see on the new season TV Show episodes very shortly. As I write this we have just gone into the Red Traffic Light setting due to the imminent Omicron outbreak, and who knows just how this is going to affect our hunting for the foreseeable future? The rules around close contacts and self-isolation mean potentially a significant percentage of the population may have to stay at home at any one time. With Omicron’s spread being so explosive, everyone is going to be affected to some extent at some stage. One major concern is what the Department of Conservation decides to…

HI GREG I’ve recently acquired a .222 which I want to use for a few old school type hunts myself this spring/summer. It’s an unused Tikka M595 from a deceased estate. I’ve put a Swaro on top and it shoots wonderfully well. I’ve sighted it in bang on for 200 yds. The question is, the ammo Willie used to sack those three deer up Sawtooth in the Ruahine Episode, was that Sako factory 50gn? I’m asking because that’s mainly what I’ve been shooting so far. I have not taken the rifle stalking yet, it’s just been used for pest control around the ranch. I’m picking the 50gn pills will be the best for the barrel twist? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, NATHAN HI NATHAN Yep the 222’s generally have a 14”…

This time round we thought we would tackle it differently. The plan was to fly in and walk out, carrying enough food and gear for eight days. Our mission was to find large, mature stags for me and my mate Jack Rowe Day 1 We finished work as soon possible so we could get over the hill to Wanaka and meet the pilot, weigh our gear and do a last minute gear check. We loaded up and were off, grins from ear to ear as we made a quick flight up and over to the first base camp. The tent was set up at record speed as we were keen to head down the valley before last light to do some glassing. Much to our surprise, we only saw two…

As neither of us had been to Fiordland to chase Wapiti it was exciting stuff, to say the least. We started looking at maps and watching videos of hunts in the Dark River and to put together a bit of a plan as to how we wanted to spend our ten days hunting the block. After a heap of planning, a bit of pack training, and the purchase of new gear, the time finally came to make the big drive down from Nelson to Te Anau. On arrival, we attended the briefing and got our permit for the block and, before we knew it, the next morning had arrived. We choppered out of Milford heading for Lake Grave at the bottom of the Dark River block. Once landed and all…

My guess is that unless you’re steeped in the world of biology or ecology, you’re much the same. To ground us in the discussion, here’s what I’ve learned, starting with a brief backstory of the moa. THERE WERE ESSENTIALLY THREE PHASES OF MOA HISTORY : 1. New Zealand separated from Gondwanaland around 80 million years ago. Following this, moa evolved and became a key part of New Zealand’s ecosystems, where they had few predators. With no unnatural processes or interventions, the system operated within the natural rhythms of life. The moa population was controlled by the availability of food, but they also had to contend with a formidable predator, the world’s largest but now extinct species of eagle, Haast’s eagle. Research has shown that for approximately 6,000 years prior to…

Samantha had a couple of days work booked for February in Canterbury and, being the opportunists we are, it made sense to cram all the work into a Sunday and Monday and go hunting for the rest of the week! A front moved through on the Monday night and was still clearing on Tuesday morning. Given that our goal for the night was modest, we decided to splash out and book a dip in the hot pools at Omarama until the weather passed. It was seven degrees and raining intermittently - splendid weather for a hot tub. Despite my remarkable English rose complexion I didn’t pay any attention to the possibility of sunburn, as it felt one step away from snow! When the weather began to clear we reluctantly prised…