Post by: Al Kidner on April 02, 2007, 07:03:00 AM
We hunted the Seaward Kiakoura's (Mountain range) north of Christchurch, and were only after free range wild deer and any other critters that may walk in close. Here is where it all started...
I'd made these up for the hunt. Breasted tapered Doug Fir of an average weight of 624grains.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0869.jpg)
And of course the other sharp things one needs on a hunt...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0872.jpg)
And here is the hunting area. These two lads own just about as far as the eye can see. FACT.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0895.jpg)
I'll post more asap.
In Oz, al
Post by: Al Kidner on April 02, 2007, 07:37:00 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0935.jpg)
Walking to the trail end I was still pinching myself I was here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0913.jpg)
And after a long day in the mountains this is what we sat down to at dinner time. Freshly caught lobster. It's a hard luck life!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0910.jpg)
I'm off to bed, post more soon.
al
Post by: Ziggy/Oz on April 02, 2007, 07:40:00 AM
I feel a great story is about to unfold . . . keep those great pics and storyline coming . . . love the arras . . . Ziggy
Post by: Whip on April 02, 2007, 07:48:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on April 02, 2007, 07:54:00 AM
Post by: Ray Hammond on April 02, 2007, 08:07:00 AM
Post by: philil on April 02, 2007, 11:03:00 AM
I bet it was a great trip!
Can't wait for more!
Post by: JC on April 02, 2007, 11:22:00 AM
Terry, gets a feller to thinkin about a certain vendor he needs to visit, doesn't it?
Post by: IB on April 02, 2007, 11:28:00 AM
Alan we're a waitin..Slow and EASY please. Good stuff :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Post by: BenBow on April 02, 2007, 11:40:00 AM
Post by: 4runr on April 02, 2007, 11:44:00 AM
Post by: Nakohe on April 02, 2007, 02:12:00 PM
Post by: Cutty47 on April 02, 2007, 02:22:00 PM
Post by: paleFace on April 02, 2007, 03:12:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on April 02, 2007, 03:17:00 PM
Post by: beachbowhunter on April 02, 2007, 03:47:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on April 02, 2007, 04:12:00 PM
Post by: Shell on April 02, 2007, 04:21:00 PM
That land is some of the prettiest on earth...got to see a virtual tour on TV one time and the diversity of the land is sureal...
like no other place on the planet...thanks for the treat of your hunt Al and could'nt imagine being there...looking forward to the rest :) of the story :thumbsup:
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on April 02, 2007, 04:30:00 PM
Post by: T. Downing on April 02, 2007, 04:30:00 PM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 02, 2007, 04:59:00 PM
Lord of The Rings is a good example on what the south isaland of NZ is like. Deep woods, clear mountain streams and tall rough mountains. Your a lucky man Jeff.
Just a small post today as I've been called into work today fellas but here is a mate of Terry's.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_1012.jpg)
I was sitting glassing some deer when he walked up to me for a chat.
I'll post more as soon as I get work out of the way.....
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
al
Post by: bbassi on April 02, 2007, 05:14:00 PM
Man, ever since I saw the Lord of the Rings, I've wanted to see that country for myself. It's hard to believe there is such a beautiful, unspoiled place left on this earth. I can't wait to see more.
Post by: j yenney on April 02, 2007, 05:27:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on April 02, 2007, 05:55:00 PM
Post by: The Whittler on April 02, 2007, 06:06:00 PM
Alan, you live in quite a place yourself, I have seen some pics., just georgous, thanks. Alan.
Post by: razorsharptokill on April 02, 2007, 07:02:00 PM
Post by: j yenney on April 02, 2007, 07:09:00 PM
I am moving to the north island, but plan on seeing all of it.
Post by: bentpole on April 02, 2007, 07:13:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on April 02, 2007, 09:18:00 PM
Post by: robslifts on April 02, 2007, 09:52:00 PM
Post by: knife river on April 02, 2007, 10:09:00 PM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 03, 2007, 12:55:00 AM
But getting back to the story. As I stated before this was a semi guided hunt and the place we stayed @ catered for your rifle hunter more so than Bowhunters. I'd never in my life had to give an explaination on how my bow could kill.
You know the questions ... "Just how close do you have to be to kill an animal with a bow like that?" and after jumping a doe in the timber..."Quick .. shoot". It was only 70 odd yards away ...lol. But in all the lads were good to be with and had a wealth of hunting knowlage and yaers of Deer culling behind them. I just had to explain the way we Trad fellas like to do it. The best I could do was liken us to a FlyFisherman. That did the trick.
This is a pic of the 2nd morning out. Not ten minutes before, I was telling him all about Traditional archery when this shot happened. 32 yards downhill, ace hex blunt to the base of the skull = short blood trails and raised eyebrows.
Here endith the lesson.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0912.jpg)
Before my hunting mate and I started the hunt we spent 2 nights in Christchurch. Shopping for gifts, tasten the local beer and wines as well as the food. All top notch in my book, thats part of the reason I'm heading back... good tasting NZ red wines.
What we did find however, is a lot of shops selling New Zealand "Greenstone" or jade. Most of it is carved buy the locals and in some shops you can even find out, and read a wee bit on the person who actually carved your item.
I just loved the Greenstone. Here is what I bought for my family:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0964.jpg)
One can pay up to 2K NZD for a good greenstone carving item. But if you go, make sure it's New Zealand Greenstone. Some imports make it into the country I'm told. Wolfman Jeff could chime in here ?
This is mine that I wore hunting and as Green is my favorite colour I just felt very comfie with it on. I'll wear it when hunting from this day forward. Kinda my link to a top hunt and mother earth all in one.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0934.jpg)
Have to rush, be right back soon.
al
Post by: Joseph on April 03, 2007, 01:01:00 AM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 03, 2007, 01:36:00 AM
Post by: jindydiver on April 03, 2007, 02:33:00 AM
While you were tasting the reds did you save at least one night to get into the Marlborough Sound Sauvignon Blanc made just north of there? We like it so much we had a couple of cases shipped over for our wedding in 2001.
When do we get to the pics of the deer :)
Post by: 9 Mile Archer on April 03, 2007, 02:40:00 AM
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on April 03, 2007, 02:49:00 AM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 03, 2007, 02:50:00 AM
Sorry mate, did not venture that far north. But I never tasted a bad one my whole time there.
This was the biggest hare I seen over there. And let me tell you the Ace Hex blunt was not a good option. I hit him 1/4 away and if I stalked another I'd reach for a Woodsman.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0929.jpg)
Have to really rush now.
al
Post by: ethan on April 03, 2007, 05:46:00 AM
Post by: Coachy on April 03, 2007, 05:59:00 AM
Post by: JC on April 03, 2007, 07:05:00 AM
I meant to mention your arrows too...beauts!
Post by: Doug Campbell on April 03, 2007, 08:00:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on April 03, 2007, 09:18:00 AM
I saw two running side hill across a lake once, and I though they were deer at 1st.....they get big.
Hey!!!.....more pics!!!!!!!!!!
Post by: 9 Mile Archer on April 03, 2007, 09:29:00 AM
Post by: Joseph on April 03, 2007, 03:23:00 PM
Post by: Budog56 on April 03, 2007, 05:04:00 PM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 03, 2007, 05:24:00 PM
Here in this pic I could not go past having a swim here in this mountain stream. Anymore than say...3 minutes in, and your feet and hands would go numb! Kinda like eating chillie though, I had to go back in 4 more times to get the full deal on having a dip.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0981.jpg)
Note: the widow was always in arm's reach in case any critters wanting to meet there maker.
Still more to come.
al
Post by: beachbowhunter on April 03, 2007, 05:31:00 PM
HOOOBoy!
Post by: JEFF B on April 03, 2007, 05:49:00 PM
Post by: Whip on April 03, 2007, 05:55:00 PM
Post by: beachbowhunter on April 03, 2007, 07:22:00 PM
It would be a family affair, wives, kids, the whole schmear. You in?
Post by: Al Kidner on April 04, 2007, 03:13:00 AM
Oh and the water was a wee bit chillie! The guides thought we were a tad bit thick in the head to go swimming in that stream. It must have been an aussie thing...lol.
Well here I am being showen what New Zealand mountains look like from the "Get-go". We walked up to about 6000 feet and this is as high as I've been on foot in my life. We are walking accross the shale rock and the pic just fails to do the steepness of the country. I was told the lens puts its own twist on a shot but when I say it's steep... it's steep... :readit:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0949.jpg)
We had a good day spotting deer and looking for Chamois but we failed to see any worth a shot or in range for a stalk. On or way home (at about 4000 feet) I shot this goat for the table as practice on shooting extreme downhill shots for if, and when ,I get back to hunt Chamois and Thar.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0959.jpg)
Be back soon, for more fun.
al
Post by: Al Kidner on April 04, 2007, 03:21:00 AM
Few times in one's life we really feel alive. This day I was alive. Tuned into the way of the mountains and feeling, as any true hunter should feel, at home in the mountains or woods with stick and string in close grasp.
Post by: Joseph on April 04, 2007, 05:03:00 AM
Post by: Ziggy/Oz on April 04, 2007, 06:44:00 AM
Post by: gwhunter on April 04, 2007, 07:04:00 AM
Post by: JC on April 04, 2007, 07:36:00 AM
Post by: Whip on April 04, 2007, 07:42:00 AM
Post by: Ray Hammond on April 04, 2007, 08:17:00 AM
Post by: beachbowhunter on April 04, 2007, 11:53:00 AM
Post by: JEFF B on April 04, 2007, 04:06:00 PM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 04, 2007, 05:08:00 PM
Your dead right whip and ray, when getting up that high I was thinking...
"Now if i do a wee tumble here I'm more worried about my bow and camera!... I can be patched up"
Strange way of thinking but hell, it's my skin.
Anyway getting back to the hunt. This is what we were after lads.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0975.jpg)
True, free range wild red stags. Note to any hunter going to NZ to hunt the Reds: if the head gear is any bigger than this it has,or is, been in a pen... Another FACT. The ones you see with trees growing out of there skulls are fed up on suped up feed and nuts etc, to get the massive growth.
Sadly it is creeping into hunting in NZ and here in Australia as well, but there is still plenty of wild wilderness to hunt and operations that cater for this. Just tell 'em you want no high fences.
The two fellas that run the area I hunted can not stand the way hunting is going around the world, gold medal this and 100% that. And it suited me to the ground.
Post by: Missouri Sherpa on April 04, 2007, 05:22:00 PM
Post by: 9 Mile Archer on April 04, 2007, 08:03:00 PM
Great images, thanks for taking the time to share.
Post by: Guru on April 04, 2007, 08:49:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on April 04, 2007, 10:23:00 PM
Post by: mmgrode on April 05, 2007, 05:45:00 AM
Post by: Jack Shanks on April 05, 2007, 07:17:00 AM
Post by: arraflipper on April 05, 2007, 07:22:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on April 05, 2007, 09:03:00 AM
Post by: JC on April 05, 2007, 10:19:00 AM
Post by: Guru on April 05, 2007, 10:32:00 AM
We appreciate your time and effort, thanx
Post by: vermonster13 on April 05, 2007, 10:35:00 AM
Post by: Talondale on April 05, 2007, 11:22:00 AM
Post by: Terry Green on April 05, 2007, 11:49:00 AM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0895.jpg)
Post by: mmgrode on April 05, 2007, 12:16:00 PM
Post by: Lewis Brookshire III on April 05, 2007, 12:58:00 PM
Hurry up for goodness sake we are on pins and needles.
Post by: lone hunter on April 05, 2007, 01:05:00 PM
Post by: Ray Hammond on April 05, 2007, 01:59:00 PM
wonder what happened to those trees there? Fire?
Post by: Whip on April 05, 2007, 03:21:00 PM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 05, 2007, 03:32:00 PM
Well as you can see I thought I'd better finish this thing even if a hick up or two unfolded.
Ray from what I know Elk was released in NZ yaers back, how far I'm not sure but at least 50, and at the moment the hunting groups from what I hear are trying to save it from cross breading with the Red deer. It is still classed as a "Pest" animal but if the hunting groups can get it changed to a Game animal then we are on our way to a healthy heard. Oh and also, yes you are right mate, a fire did kill off a wack of Beech trees in the area 20 odd years ago the owner told me. Made for top stump shooting that's for sure. Mainly hardwoods here in oz so shooting a stump means a dead arrow, not the case in NZ.
My hunting mate and I spent the morning looking for a waterfall that came out of the rocks but fail to find it so we spent the rest of the day catching the sun and planning the afternoon's hunt. My buddy is a keen photographer and I caught him in action...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_1041.jpg)
al
Post by: Al Kidner on April 05, 2007, 03:54:00 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0972.jpg)
Al
Post by: Budog56 on April 05, 2007, 04:08:00 PM
Post by: Cutty47 on April 05, 2007, 04:46:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on April 05, 2007, 08:26:00 PM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 05, 2007, 08:37:00 PM
There's nothing like carring out your own animal you've just shot to feed the lads in camp. I would have kept his skin but he had just rolled in a wallow and was all covered in mud. made for a messy haul out.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0966.jpg)
Normally Red stags don't taste the best during the rut but this youg fella was melt in your mouth type eating. Washed down with NZ red wine and a follower of Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Post by: Al Kidner on April 05, 2007, 09:09:00 PM
In taking a page out of G Freds book, I always like to practice whilst hunting. The more I shoot the better I shoot. So with all the fire damaged timber it lent itself to days of stump abuse. I only made up 1 Dozen arrows for this hunt and 4 of them where judos and ace hex blunts (two of each).
I'm now sold on both.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_1052.jpg)
Post by: vermonster13 on April 05, 2007, 09:13:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on April 05, 2007, 09:36:00 PM
Post by: Shell on April 06, 2007, 07:56:00 AM
Ho'nehe, Now I see why you retired at such a young age...making those pretty greenstones for the tourists ;)
Post by: Joseph on April 06, 2007, 11:43:00 AM
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on April 06, 2007, 12:54:00 PM
Post by: Budog56 on April 06, 2007, 01:06:00 PM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 06, 2007, 06:36:00 PM
We had landed a wee bit early and all the big, mature stags were still hiding a ways back in the thick dark timber. Only on the last few days did we see any worth the trophy fee, and I mean these lads were big. One stag I counted 14 points on (7 per side) and would have made me a happy hunter. He just took my breath away. I did follow him for 3 and a bit hours but that's another story for anther time.
This did not put a wet side on things as I had a super time hunting these mountain medows after animals, wild and free. There is nothing like taking a nap and waking up in the sun with the rest of the afternoons hunt still in front of you. Pure magic. If I died up there on many a day, I'd meet my maker with a smile.
I'd found this little hollow in the rocks and made it one of my "Nap sites"....lol.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0899.jpg)
Thanks for all the kind words on my first overseas hunt. I'm already planning my next. Oh and one day I'm heading over your way to maybe go to a big Trad shoot/expo, hunt if I can (spot and stalk black bears hopefully) and do a tour through the widow factory.
To all the people that wanted info on my hunt I'll get round to you asap.
Regards,
Al Kidner.
Post by: Whip on April 06, 2007, 06:45:00 PM
Does the roar take place later in April then?
Thanks for sharing with us.
Post by: JEFF B on April 06, 2007, 06:46:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on April 06, 2007, 06:47:00 PM
Post by: Ziggy/Oz on April 06, 2007, 10:57:00 PM
Post by: Doug S on April 07, 2007, 10:43:00 AM
Thanks for sharing. I have been there twice myself and hope to return. Your story's and photo's brought back alot of memories. I hope you make it to the U.S for a hunt and trad shoot sometime.
Doug
Post by: Randy Morin on April 07, 2007, 04:56:00 PM
Post by: 8th Dwarf on April 08, 2007, 02:06:00 AM
Beauty beyond description... Huge country and se saw no other hunters. Didn't get a shot, but what a time I had. We did manage to catch some HAWG Brown Trout during mid day, though!
You've done a magnificent job of reporting what New Zealand can be like. Congrats on a great hunt, Al.
Too Short (written from New Zealand)
Post by: Al Kidner on April 08, 2007, 04:26:00 AM
In Oz and missing NZ, al
Post by: JEFF B on April 08, 2007, 04:43:00 AM
Post by: bentpole on April 08, 2007, 08:54:00 AM
Post by: Al Kidner on April 08, 2007, 07:23:00 PM
al
Post by: Dsturgisjr on April 08, 2007, 07:28:00 PM
Post by: JEFF B on April 08, 2007, 07:42:00 PM
Post by: JC on April 08, 2007, 08:46:00 PM
Post by: Coop on April 08, 2007, 08:53:00 PM
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on May 14, 2007, 07:59:00 AM
Post by: the Ferret on May 14, 2007, 08:34:00 AM
I've heard NZ is a wonderful place to ride a motorcycle.
Post by: BigRonHuntAlot on May 14, 2007, 08:56:00 AM
Post by: Shakes.602 on May 14, 2007, 09:40:00 AM
Post by: JEFF B on May 14, 2007, 03:20:00 PM
Post by: Steve H. on June 15, 2007, 10:16:00 PM
Come on Mick, PRIORITIES man!
Post by: Chortdraw on June 15, 2007, 11:12:00 PM
Chort