Tips on hunting Stewart Island Whitetail

whitetail buck

The following article is produced to aid the hunter and provide recommendations on possibilities for hunting Whitetail on Stewart Island. The majority of Stewart Island Land is administered by the Department of Conservation. The coastal areas (where the highest concentrations of Whitetail are found) is divided into 35 blocks which can be applied for up to one year in advance. For the popular blocks this is highly recommended. In addition to the blocks administered by the department of conservation there are a further 15 blocks held by the Rakiura Maori land trust that are available for hunting. However, these blocks require a daily charge. For more information on blocks and the facilities provided by DOC the hunter can contact DOC .

When deciding on where you want to hunt you should do a bit of research. Old hunting magazines, forums, info from people who have hunted there before and locals are all good places to start. When accessing a block for trophy potential it is important to note that trophies have been taken on most blocks. As mentioned above Whitetail are far more numerous on the coastal areas of the island and are rarely found above 250 meters. Also remember to take a map and compass. A GPS is also highly recommended. The majority of hunters I have spoken to convey how easily they found it to get lost on the island. The island generally lacks defined ridge systems and streams snake back and forth along rolling lowland.

Whitetail doe with yearling

When thinking seriously about travelling to the island to obtain a buck in hard antler one should be aware that bucks can cast there antlers around July and even a bit earlier. In regards to feeding patterns of these deer they tend to feed in sporadic periods throughout the day. However, as with most deer early morning and late evening are the most productive times. Having a good bush stalk through the day and checking out areas with increased amount’s of sign can produce the goods. Also though, it is a good idea to find an area with a bit of a view in a place with some good sign. Set your self up a position here where you can sit an hour or two before dark and stay there right until you can no longer see. Combining your normal bush stalking with periods of still hunting in the evening can greatly increase your odds. A large part of a whitetails diet is made up of windfall, therefore hunting after periods of high winds and stormy weather can often be productive. As with all deer your chances are greatly increased if you hunt areas where their preferred feed is located. Whitetail will feed on all hardwood trees but generally avoid shrubs, ferns and podocarps. According to the New Zealand Journal of ecology, Vol.2, 1988 Broad-leaf makes up 34.6% of a Whitetails diet, Supple-jack makes up 18.6% while all other plant species make up less than 5% of the stomach contents. As with most hunting ensure you move through areas with little sign quickly and slow down and spend A LOT of time being still and looking in areas with increased sign or where preferred plant species are located. During the rut if you spot a doe wandering through the forest it is highly likely there will be a buck following her. So, try to stay watching her. Ensure you spend as much time looking at the areas directly in front of you as well as the stuff in the distance as you will often get very close to a Whitetail before spooking it. It also helps to concentrate looking THROUGH the forest rather than at it and as with all bush hunting keep your eyes peeled for any part of the deer as the first thing you are likely to see is just a part of the animal as opposed to the whole thing. The general hunting tips on this site Deer hunting tips and Secrets to successful deer hunting in winter may also be of some help.

Whitetail Doe

It is apparent from many recollections of hunters that Whitetail tend to adapt to human presence very quickly. Hence you should always keep and eye out around camp and don’t pass up promising spots just because you think they are too close to camp. Take your rifle with you everywhere. It is also recorded that Whitetail feed on certain seaweeds that wash up on shore and have often been shot on the beach. Another tip that is highly recommended for the island is to clean your rifle every day. The sea air can start to corrode your rifle very quickly.

Well…. from the team at fishinghuntinginfo.com we wish you hot barrels on your Whitetail hunting trip! Be sure to post your story and photos in our Forum for the pleasure of us all!