DAVE RATCLIFFE'S QUARTERLY HUNTING TIPS
(Photo) Two deer on a slip mid winter showing colour of their coats. The one to shoot is the young one to the left rather than the hind to the right.
Dave's Tips For Winter Hunting
DAVE RATCLIFFE'S QUARTERLY HUNTING TIPS
(Photo) Two deer on a slip mid winter showing colour of their coats. The one to shoot is the young one to the left rather than the hind to the right.
Dave's Tips For Winter Hunting
Where To Hunt There are various hunting destinations in the central region, from conservation land to numerous private blocks and hunting Estates. Hunting permits for conservation land can be procured from the department of Conservation Office at Turangi . With the permit you will be given a map of the conservation areas you are permitted to hunt. Private blocks are also available, costs incur for a Day rate, and some cases animal fees. These blocks are mostly guided, but there are some blocks that are available unguided . For more info contact www.trophyhuntandfishnz.com .
Seasonal Hunting Now we are officially into Winter the mornings are often frosty if not, its still cold. The Deer have moved to warmer environments such as sunny faces that get the sun most of the day. Their metabolism has slowed down so they eat less and move around less. They often stand out in the open for a short while catching the first of the morning sun, but are only out usually for a half hour before moving back into cover. Mid afternoon hunting can also be productive, but evening hunting is in most cases not productive. The deer's diet is made up mainly of leaf, and a loss of condition makes the meat stronger in taste and texture, as well the animal smell is stronger. The animal to eat is the Calf, as it is still getting milk from the hind, and suffers no weight loss.Winter is not an easy time of the year to hunt. Understanding animal habit and habitat is so very important. Deer have a metabolism process slow down this time of year, they eat less, and move around less, they burn little energy by doing so. Body conditions deteriorate to some extent, hence the animals smell stronger, as well the meat tastes stronger as well as the texture being tougher in Adult animals. Juvenile stock are a better choice for meat because they are still getting nourishment from the mother and have not lost condition. Animals have changed into winter coat and are more darker in colour.
Country to Hunt Hunt sunny sheltered faces. Deer love warmth, and hate wind. Once you find fresh sign, with faecal droppings old and new, you are pretty well in the right spot. You should smell the animals before you see them. Hunting high bush edges that get the early morning sun, slips and openings in the bush on the sunny faces. Forget about the damp cold faces. The animals have vacated these areas for a warmer climate. Bush hunt the sunny faces. If you find fresh sign, they wont be too far away. Afternoon hunting, deer often mooch about getting any pickings that are still available before the evening atmosphere starts to cool things down. Any areas where sign is fresh, should be worth another inspection.
How to hunt in winter Bush stalking, Keep reasonably high up on a warm sunny face in the bush, look for positive sign on the game trails, keep the breeze in your face, (a bic cigarette lighter is good to check the breeze) move slowly and quietly as possible. Look carefully for part of an animal, in most cases the whole animal will not be visible. Take a break every hour, eat a snack bar, or have a drink, heavy concentration causes one to tire and mistakes often cost that chance for a shot. When shooting slips and broken country in frosty weather, commence your hunt when the frost starts to thaw, be in a position to look over the slips when the sun moves onto them. If there are animals handy they will move out onto the slip to get the warmth, BUT, they will not stay longer than 15 to 20 minutes before they move back into a sunny spot in the bush. Evening shots, start your hunt about 3 pm for an hour or so, the animals don’t usually stick around to watch the sun go down. Stags often get around together during winter, then September they cast their antlers before heading to new pastures, and the hinds, fawns and yearlings live together. The most important thing for deer in winter is warmth, so use the sun. Use your binoculars on the sunny faces and slips, as the frost thaws in the morning, then mid afternoon in the same spots.
Where ever you are hunting wear the right gear. Wear warm clothing that is not noisy when foliage rubs against it, wear quiet foot wear, always know where you are. If the bush is wet, keep the lens of your scope clean and dry. Most of all IDENTIFY YOUR TARGET. Good Hunting.