Hunters Comments

Harakeke
Very enjoyable 2 days gave it a good go but no luck, look forward to next year time if lucky enough. Would like to express thanks for opportunity and special thanks to Colin Harold for his advice and help.

Harakeke
After being a companion on this block last year, where we saw quite a bit of fresh sign and saw several deer. I feel that though the lack of sign in this area this year that there are very few sambar living in this block. I would like to say a big thank you to Colin Harold for his support and encouragement with our hunt.

Harakeke
Stalking disrupted occasionally by trail bike riders and white baiters.

Harakeke
No fresh sign anywhere. Probably would have been better with out stock wondering around and boy racers ripping around on Sunday. However saw 2 young fallow on block 3 Saturday afternoon. Harakeke is great country and enjoyed hunting it. Disappointed that some hunters did not turn up for their blocks - unfair to others who missed out.

Harakeke
Shot fallow doe, pity it wasn't sambar . Block well marked out - Thanks Dave and Colin.

Harakeke
Walked into 2 deer while walking into block while still dark. Initially thought the two animals in front of me were cattle beasts, just two dark shapes. Thanks for the opportunity SDMF.

Harakeke
Enjoyed the challenge of a new species, research and different terrain. Saw heaps of sign. Spooked 2 animals. Stag was very large with a good head but was in Velvet. No chance for a shot. Thank you for the work you do and for the opportunity to hunt sambar. I'll be in the ballot next year.

Harakeke
Thanks to Dave and Colin for the hunt on block 3. Spent 3 hours in tight pine sunday am block 4 plenty of fresh sign, scrapings on ground and tree rubbing.

Moutoa
Would make an ideal two day block but still with one deer one hunter system it's not a large area but the deer know all the best hiding spots and move very quickly and without a sound. Found 3 dead animals one only a week old 2 older taken outside the hunting ballot. All older animals.

Moutoa
The animal I ended up with was not the one I shot at, was shooting at a 4 point stag but bagged a 10 month juvenile hind. Thank you for the chance SDMF thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Moutoa
Had a very enjoyable day in the flax. It's not about shooting deer it's about being there, and I was there. Thanks for the opportunity.

Moutoa
Saw 5 deer and heard about 10 crashing away. All deer were running not leaving the flax, no shot was fired as risk of wounding. Thank you to the foundation, I enjoyed the day and would like to apply for ballot next year.
(You need quick eyes (about 10 of them) and slow feet in Moutoa. Well done on sensible hunting.)

Pukepuke Lagoon
Deer seemed to be hiding in the neighbors pines during the day. Cows running around lagoon upsetting everything. A lot of deep water.

Rangitikei River
Really enjoyed the season, plenty of sign only 3 deer seen, one was seen when I didn't have my rifle, one took me by surprise and the other done the 100 yard sprint. They are very elusive animal, cunning and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Rangitikei River
Worked hard to get my first sambar only to be rewarded on the last day of the season.

Round Bush
Nice block. Little water, some on eastern edge. Plenty of animals had been living there (old sign).

Round Bush
Found Round Bush very interesting. Was quietly surprised after hearing poor reports in previous years. Strong evidence to show that 2 stags were using this area (series of 2 scrapes in 2 separate areas). Lots of fresh sign, prints, freshly scented scrapes and 3 beds found also. These animals are very good at hiding, or maybe just go away for weekends.

Round Bush
This is a huge block. There was plenty of evidence of deer occupation. Well used trails around perimeter, though heavy cover in surrounding.

Santoft
Saw 3 dead cattle in Santoft block 5 ear tag T P Martin. cattle were very thin condition. Nothing to eat.

Waitarere
The deer in this block are very nocturnal due to public use and are holding up during the day in an area that is un-huntable. This particular block does not hold very many deer and pose little risk to tree plantation. While hunting this block motorcycles were racing around making hunting very difficult. Suggest the block be hunted on week days.
(Deer are use to the public and ignore them. Week hunting would be a problem with foresters.)

Waitarere
It was good to hunt new ground and sambar. No deer in our block. Thanks to Rayonier Ltd, and SDMF for the opportunity.

Waitarere
Saw 1, enough sign and animals to enjoy a good hunt (can't be successful all the time). Saw numerous paw prints of dogs without human footprints. At least one dog and on the other occasion a bitch with probably 2 pups. A recent Australian Guns and Game article documents problems caused by dingo's on Victorian sambar, we thought the SDMF needed to be aware so that some action may be taken against rogue dogs before they become the 4 legged poachers of the forest.
(Dogs gone wild are a problem in this area but mainly to sheep and goats on farm land. Sightings of obviously unattended animals should be passed on to the local dog control officer.)

Waitarere
Good weekend. Thanks to SDMF and Rayonier for the opportunity to hunt.

Waitarere
An enjoyable experience. A lot of old sign, mainly in compartments that have had recent silvacultural work done and deer appear to have moved out. Fresh sign of hind and fawn right up at top. Indicator dogs would have been helpful and to take 2 hinds. Thanks.

Waitarere
Not many animals in forest, maybe ten. Access for researching should be made available during week.

Waitarere
Ain't it great to be able to hunt a new bit of country. The ballot system is great, cause it gives everyone an equal chance for a hunt that you wouldn't normally have available to you. Thanks to SDMF.

Waitarere
Monitor, had given us a ride from one end of the block to the other. Placed well aimed shot, just in front of fleeing hind, to let her know she was leaving our block and that she would be perfectly safe staying where she was. So for the record I didn't miss, I'm just a good sport. Deer 1, Hunter zip.
(Keith is very good like that. All monitors usually happy to help hunters.)

Waitarere
Don't like the idea of bush crews working in hunting block, and perhaps a better warning sign to general public to let them know hunting is in progress. Many thanks to Keith Howard for his time and knowledge, thanks to SDMF for the chance to hunt.

Waitarere
Both monitor Keith Howard and Mitchpine were helpful with information, Keith offered to take us old hunters to far end of block to get wind right, mate fired blank at the only deer he saw. Good fresh stag scrapes, preaching tree, rubs and sign seen. Enjoyable hunting. Thanks.

Waitarere
Great block, lots of deer and sign. Thank you SDMF. - both deer gut full of grass.

Waitarere
A great weekend even though I was unsuccessful. Many thanks to the committee for their dedication to the heard management and so giving the average kiwi hunter the opportunity to stalk these elusive animals.

Waitarere
Awesome what else can I say? Father/son team. One huge hind and one yearling for freezer. Saw big stag on boundary road at 4.30pm but was daydreaming BUGGER. Saw lots of barking and some good deer hiways. Many thanks to Keith Howard, SDMF and Rayonier.

Waitarere
Needs tracking collars to find them, heard about 4 animals after dark on walk back out. Reasonable distance to come, found a cast antler as a consolation prize, enjoyable all the same.

Waitarere
Some body been driving around block before we got there. Could have been who ever was shooting the fresh killed possums. We were a bit disappointed after having driven down from Rotorua.

Waitarere
Production crews in block, recipe for a shooting accident.
(We are advised where work is being done and these areas are excluded from blocks. They did not use to work weekends but increasing work pressure means work done when it is available. Like all hunters we need to be aware of our target and background)

Waitarere
I think the foundation has the conditions of hunting, or some aspects wrong. The deer should be supplied with HIVIS patches i.e. 500mm stripe around their guts.
(That could be a bit rough on the hunter in the next block wearing HiVis clothing)

Private
Each year I get a licence and tell myself I will make time to hunt. Each year work commitments take priority. Perhaps next year there will be time - hope so. Thanks for the opportunity anyway.

Private
Fantastic hunt guide knew area and animals very well. Hunt for such an animal was too short. Very well worth the trip Top Sika as a bonus taken on same trip.

Private
What function do the monitors play in helping find a wounded animal?
(Depends on monitor. Most would be able to help as they are hunters themselves. However it is difficult if they find the animal as they would not be armed. Also they are volunteers and do have other lives. I think that most will help if they can, no one likes to leave a wounded animal)

Private
A lot of hunters in Ernslaw blocks bumping into each other. Something Ernslaw needs to work at.

Private
The licence fee is worth it just to go out legally and see these great animals.

Private
The deer in the block must be in burrows to survive the mobile gun ships witnessed during preseason research walks. Thanks to all those at SDMF and helpers for your efforts to preserve this unique treasure.
(Did you get their Number??)

Private
I hope this hunting resource lasts, this stag had three other bullets that had only just made it into the meat healed over and a 22 bullet chip in antler. Poachers no doubt.

Private
Plenty of sign, very windy weekend managed to get within five to six metres of deer in big grass patched no chance of a shot, I really admire these deer.

Private
Enjoyable as always. Unfortunately first day was ruined by poachers on the block. Sadly poachers are endemic in this area.
(And unfortunately most areas. These people are not Hunters they are thieves!)

Private
Spooked 5 deer while hunting, also found cast antler of 6 pointer. Cunning bastards - never saw any of the spooked deer although very vocal. Hard hunting in small-medium pines - in areas heavy undergrowth, hard walking through, while trying to be quite.

Private
Yet another year of hunting these cunning giants. Seems every year I come closer to getting one, maybe next year!

Private
The foundation as done a really fantastic job of managing the herd. Thanks for the effort.

Private
Hunted hard for 2 days, lots of motorbikes racing through forest everyday. But deer are still there found fresh sign of hinds and good size stag on Sunday morning. Found dead cow that's been shot about 2 weeks ago. Deer move around a lot at night, needed extra day to get onto them, but we both enjoyed our hunt. Thanks.

Private
Awesome!!!! First hunt for sambar with a bow. Caught juvenile hind.

Private
Thanks to landowner and SDMF for the opportunity. Good researching and hunting, nice head 160 D.S. Great!!!

Private
Finally!!!!!
This comment says it all!

Private
Very lucky to get an invite on private land for last weekend. Thanks to Ian Fitchett for organising a licence at such short notice. Cheers, much appreciated.
Its amazing what can be done when people ask nicely.