Rheem off-site - issue 1

WORK HARD W P L HARD! PLAY

JUNE 2017 ISSUE 1

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Pg 10

SURFCASTING THE RIGHT WAY

WIN OAKLEY

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SUNGLASSES

Pg 18

KAYA FISHING KAYAK BIG SNAPPER V

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OUTDOORS: GEOFF THOMA THOMAS ON RHEEM BIG SIX V

Pg 4

TO SUPERYACHT CAPTAIN

TRADIES OFF THE TOOLS & IN THE OUTDOORS

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HDME:=J K APPRENTICE

Pg 14

HOW TO HUNT

SIKA

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>LSJVTL [V [OL ÄYZ[ LKP[PVU VM 6Ɉ :P[L H THNHaPUL MVY º[YHKPLZ» To be published bi-monthly, 6Ɉ :P[L is all about what tradies love to do in the great outdoors when they are not on-site. The magazine will feature tradies and the outdoor pursuits they are passionate about.

A perfect example is our lead article this month featuring plumber Dan Airey. Dan did his apprenticeship on Auckland’s North Shore and, VUJL X\HSPÄLK HUK ^P[O ZVTL L_WLYPLUJL \UKLY OPZ ILS[ [VVR VɈ VU OPZ OE, which included playing semi-professional rugby in England while also working on the tools to support a fast growing travel habit.

It concludes with Dan at the helm of a 27-metre luxury motoryacht, something he would never have envisaged when he was knee-deep in T\K JYH^SPUN HYV\UK PU JVUÄULK ZWHJLZ \UKLY H OV\ZL HZ H WS\TILY»Z apprentice. It’s a position directly attributable to the skills and experience he gained as a tradesman.

Being part of the NZ Fishing Media Ltd stable, 6Ɉ :P[L has access to some of the most experienced outdoors writers in the country, so we JHU VɈLY WSLU[` VM ºOV^ [V» [V OLSW PTWYV]L `V\Y VɈ ZP[L L_WLYPLUJLZ PU the future. ;OL º RUV[ JSH\ZL» ZLLTZ [V OVSK H ZWLJPHS ZPNUPÄJHUJL MVY THU` tradies. This unwritten clause, apparently part of every tradie’s contract, ZH`Z! ZOV\SK [OL ÄZO IL VU [OL IP[L VU HU` NP]LU KH` ^OLU [OL ^PUK PZ RUV[Z VY SLZZ H [YHKPL KVLZU»[ OH]L [V MYVU[ VU ZP[L There must some be truth in it, as you only have to drive past any popular boat ramp on a week day when the weather is good to see all the company names plastered on the vehicles in the trailer park.

In a similar vein, away from the coast, toolboxes are replaced by dog boxes as tradies make the most of a break in the weather to head for the hills.

Regardless of what outdoor pursuit you are passionate about, we would love to hear from you so we can share your adventures, pictures and stories with other like-minded folk.

6Ɉ :P[L is published bi-monthly by NZ Fishing Media Ltd. 6ɉJLZ HYL SVJH[LK H[ ) 4HY\H 9VHK ,SSLYZSPL (\JRSHUK 7O MANAGING DIRECTOR Grant Blair MANAGING EDITOR Grant Dixon OFF-SITE EDITOR John Eichelsheim ADVERTISING MANAGER Scott Taylor DESIGNER Lucy Davison OPERATIONS MANAGER Sarah Ng EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES John Eichelsheim

johne@xnet.co.nz ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Scott Taylor

ZHSLZ'UaÄZOPUNUL^Z JV Ua Advertising within this publication is subject to NZ Fishing Media Ltd’s standard advertising terms and conditions, a copy of which is H]HPSHISL VUSPUL H[ ^^^ ÄZOPUN UL[ Ua VY I` JHSSPUN

*V]LY WOV[V: Andrei Avery with H RN /H^RLZ )H` ZUHWWLY Photo by Brian Firman.

Enjoy your reading – pass 6Ɉ :P[L HYV\UK ^OLU `V\ OH]L ÄUPZOLK¯

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HDME:=J K 9HHJ=FLA;= TRADES UP

Former plumber’s apprentice Dan Airey stands in front of the Little Blue, the motoryacht he now commands.

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hen he was unblocking drains and digging ditches on Auckland’s North Shore, young plumbing apprentice Dan Airey never imagined where his trade would lead him.

Dan learned his trade from Reece Fox – Foxies’ Plumbing Ltd – and it was a career path that provided many interesting twists and turns, leading to the captain’s seat on a 27-metre luxury motor cruiser currently berthed in Auckland’s Viaduct Basin.

A keen angler and hunter from a young age, a passion shared with his dad Mark, Dan loved the outdoors. Sport played a big part in his life during his younger years.

From the age of four he played rugby and proved to be good at it. Although a little on the light side, OL WSH`LK ÅHURLY HUK ^HZ RUV^U MVY OPZ HNNYLZZP]L defence and speed on attack. He played club rugby for Silverdale, and while attending Rangitoto College, he worked his way up through the grades and made the First XV. He developed a taste for travel after the First XV successfully fund-raised for a trip to play in South

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Africa. It was a portent of things to come.

“It opened my eyes to the big, wide world out there, and while working through my apprenticeship, I always knew I would travel,” Dan says.

While completing his apprenticeship, Dan played rugby for Silverdale and North Harbour Maoris. The pinnacle of his career was making the NZ Barbarians – a middleweight team – that earned him a place on the Barbarians’ wall at Eden Park.

His apprenticeship completed and with a good [YHKL X\HSPÄJH[PVU +HU ZL[ VɈ MVY ,UNSHUK VU OPZ 6, His rugby prowess stood him in good stead and he played semi-professionally for Beckingham Club in Kent, SE London, taking employment as a maintenance WS\TILY PU [OL VɈ ZLHZVU “I was living my dream: playing a sport I was passionate about and then earning good money on the tools during their summer,” he explains.

He says many Kiwis travel and get low-paying jobs, but the good wage he could earn by combining his trade with rugby enabled him to travel.

While undertaking his apprenticeship Dan might never have imagined the doors it would open for him.

“

I was living my dream: playing a sport I was passionate about and then earning good money on the tools during their summer.

“

It also meant when he came back to New Zealand for our Z\TTLY [OLYL ^HZ WSLU[` VM [PTL MVY ÄZOPUN HUK Z\YÄUN But back to his OE… One trip he remembers well was ^HSRPUN [OYV\NO ,\YVWL [HRPUN PU :^LKLU +LUTHYR HUK .LYTHU` /L KPK [OPZ PU [Y\L IHJRWHJRLY Z[`SL X\P[L VM[LU ZSLLWPUN PU H [LU[ VU [OL ZPKL VM [OL YVHK Unfortunately his adventures were curtailed by a KP]PUN HJJPKLU[ PU ,N`W[ HM[LY ^OPJO L_WLUZP]L TLKPJHS IPSSZ ZVHRLK \W OPZ TVUL` /L YL[\YULK OVTL HUK [VVR \W [OL [VVSZ X\PJRS` LHYUPUN LUV\NO [V [YH]LS HNHPU H ZJLUHYPV OL ^HZ [V YLWLH[ ZL]LYHS [PTLZ V]LY [OL `LHYZ /PZ UL_[ HK]LU[\YL [VVR [OL MVYT VM H ]HU [YPW [OYV\NO ,\YVWL [HRPUN PU [V\YPZ[ MH]V\YP[LZ SPRL 7HTWSVUH HUK [OL Y\UUPUN VM [OL I\SSZ HUK 6R[VILYMLZ[ PU 4\UPJO )HJR OVTL HNHPU OL I\PS[ \W OPZ IHUR IHSHUJL VUJL TVYL [OHURZ [V OPZ [YHKL ILMVYL YL[\YUPUN [V ,\YVWL In Norway some Kiwi fellow travellers talked him PU[V JYL^PUN VU S\_\Y` `HJO[Z HUK TV[VY IVH[Z /L ^LU[ [V ,UNSHUK ^OLYL \ZPUN OPZ [YHKL HZ H Z[HY[PUN WVPU[ OL LHYULK LUV\NO X\HSPÄJH[PVUZ [V ZLY]L HZ H KLJR LUNPULLY ILMVYL OLHKPUN HJYVZZ [OL *OHUULS HUK ^HSRPUN [OL KVJRZ PU (U[PILZ ;OLYL OL ^HZ [HRLU VU MVY H [OYLL ^LLR Z[PU[ ^OPJO X\PJRS` SLK [V H TVYL WLYTHULU[ KLJR LUNPULLY»Z QVI 0M OL [OV\NO[ WSH`PUN Y\NI` HUK [YH]LSSPUN ^HZ SP]PUN [OL KYLHT JYL^PUN VU H S\_\Y` TV[VY`HJO[ SL[ +HU LUQV` H MHU[HZ[PJ SPMLZ[`SL! [YH]LSSPUN HUK ILPUN WHPK MVY P[ 0[ ^HZ heaven!

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9\NI` ^HZ [OL PUP[PHS JH[HS`Z[ MVY +HU»Z ÄYZ[ [YPW V]LYZLHZ where he played semi-professionally in England.

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In command – Dan Airey at the helm of Little Blue.

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This vessel was in full-time charter cruising the Caribbean and Mediterranean and Dan stayed aboard her for three years, continuing to upgrade his seagoing X\HSPÃ&#x201E;JH[PVUZ This led to his current command, the 27-metre world cruiser/explorer Little Blue /L»Z ILLU [OL ]LZZLS»Z JHW[HPU MVY [OL SHZ[ [^V HUK H OHSM `LHYZ The list of ports he has called at with Little Blue is PTWYLZZP]L PUJS\KPUN T\JO VM <:(»Z LHZ[LYU ZLHIVHYK MYVT *OLZHWLHRL )H` KV^U [V -SVYPKH»Z -VY[ 3H\KLYKHSL /L»Z JHSSLK PU H[ >HZOPUN[VU +* 5L^ @VYR HUK )VZ[VU Little Blue also made landfall in the Bahamas and Cuba, before heading through the Panama Canal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an interesting experience for a young captain â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and visiting 7HUHTH *VZ[H 9PJH 5PJHYHN\H HUK 4L_PJV :OL [OLU OLHKLK [V 5L^ ALHSHUK Little Blue is owned by an Englishman who spends a JV\WSL VM TVU[OZ H `LHY HIVHYK OLY THPUS` ^P[O OPZ MHTPS` Dan says he is great to work for and treats him and his JYL^ VM Ã&#x201E;]L ^P[O YLZWLJ[ Just after this interview, Dan was heading into the

I\ZO ^P[O OPZ MH[OLY MVY [OL YVHY (M[LY [OH[ [OL IVH[ ^HZ ILPUN WYLWHYLK [V OLHK PU[V [OL 7HJPÃ&#x201E;J MVY [OL ^PU[LY TVU[OZ ZHPSPUN PUP[PHSS` MVY -PQP ¸6\Y V^ULY SV]LK 5L^ ALHSHUK HUK 0 HT OVWLM\S ^L ^PSS YL[\YU OLYL UL_[ Z\TTLY ¹ ZHPK +HU +HU ZH`Z ZOL KVLZU»[ OH]L HU` NYLH[ HTIP[PVU [V Y\U H SHYNLY ]LZZLS /L PZ X\P[L JVTMVY[HISL HIVHYK Little Blue ¸0 LUQV` [OL QVI HUK [OL V^ULY SVVRZ HM[LY TL ¹ /L ZH`Z [OH[ ^OPSL JYL^PUN VU [OL IVH[Z JHU HWWLHY [V IL NSHTVYV\Z P[ PZ UV[ HS^H`Z ^OH[ P[ PZ JYHJRLK \W [V IL ¸>OLU `V\ OH]L N\LZ[Z VU IVHYK [OL ^VYR PZ HUK some people can be hard to please, especially during JOHY[LYZ ¹ OL ZH`Z ¸I\[ 0 SV]L [OL [YH]LS VWWVY[\UP[PLZ TLL[PUN PU[LYLZ[PUN WLVWSL HUK L_WLYPLUJPUN V[OLY J\S[\YLZ The down side is that you are often working in close quarters with others, but without the opportunity to KL]LSVW SVUN [LYT ZVSPK YLSH[PVUZOPWZ ¹ +HU»Z SVUN [LYT NVHS PZ [V V^U OPZ V^U IS\L ^H[LY sailing boat and travel the world, but in the meantime this `LHY VSK ^PSS JVU[PU\L [V SP]L [OL KYLHT

WE WANT YOU! THE AIM OF OFF-SITE IS TO FEATURE SOME OF THE INTERESTING OUTDOOR STORIES PEOPLE WORKING IN THE TRADES HAVE TO TELL.

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aving a trade behind you up can open many doors, ass Dan Airey found out â&#x20AC;&#x201C; check out his story above. There has as to be hundreds of stories like his. If you know of any, please se get in touch, give us a few basic details, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll do the rest.

Tradies are obviously good on the tools, but many also throw themselves into interesting projects at home: man caves, barbecues and filleting benches, to name a few.

We would love to feature some of these projects in this magazine â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just get in touch. ;MVL ][ aW]Z JM[\ P]V\QVO Ã&#x2026;[PQVO LQ^QVO IVL W]\LWWZ[ QUIOM[ I[ OM[ I[ well â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we have a pair of top-quality Oakley sunglasses to be give ve away each month for the best image. <ZILQM[ 7â&#x20AC;«; Ùºâ&#x20AC;¬Q\M Q[ aW]Z UIOIbQVM 8TMI[M [PIZM aW]Z experiences and adventures with us. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be I 8]TQ\bMZ XZQbM _QVVQVO _ZQ\MZ · \PI\ Q[ W]Z RWJ <ITS \W ][ so we can share your stories with others.

Look forward to hearing from youâ&#x20AC;¦ John Eichelsheim Editor Off-Site

johneichelsheim@gmail.com 021 775 789

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BIG 6 CHALLENGE of entries went into the hat, Reece Hesketh from the Bay of Islands headed out from Hicks Bay on the first leg of his 48-hour adventure. He finished with a score of four out of a possible six – his first trout, his first stag, a hapuku and a kingfish.

The following year Matamata’s Tony Wright also bagged four after visiting White Island where he landed a bluenose, stuck his first boar in the Bay of Plenty and boated two trout at Rotorua.

“

When it comes to catching fish and hunting game animals to order, it can be much harder than it sounds.

Then in 2013 it was Murray Bond’s turn. He travelled from Christchurch to Kaikoura where he shot his first chamois, added a red stag and a bluenose, then managed to hook a brown trout just before the clock ran out.

In 2014 Peter Illingworth’s name was drawn and the Aucklander headed to Opotiki where he boarded a helicopter for a wild ride around the coast from Lottin Point. He finished with three – a snapper, a kahawai and a red stag. But it was a full-on couple of days which included jet-boating up the Motu River.

”

The 2015 winner, Mike Baker from west Auckland, also scored four out of six after driving halfway around the North Island in the rain to shoot a goat, catch two trout at Taupo and hooking a kahawai out of Tauranga.

It all started when the challenge was launched as part of a promotion in 2011, and after thousands

So we come to last year and Wellington’s Tony Cain flew to Auckland with a mate where he jumped onto a boat at Westhaven and headed out on the Hauraki Gulf, little knowing he was about to set a new record.

That is exactly what six plumbers have found over the past few years as they took on the Rheem Big Six Challenge. But they had a great time in what is the ultimate ‘Boys’ Own Adventure.’

Tony quickly learned from Charter boat skipper Len Rameka on how to keep in touch with the line as the six-ounce sinker plummeted to the sea bed 36 metres below. The tide was less than an hour from high and Lenny explained that the fishing would be slow until the tide turned and started flowing out.

Tony soon had half a dozen nice snapper in the box and then his line tightened and rose in the water, pulling out and up. “That’s a kahawai,” said Lenny, and when he netted the feisty fighter, Tony had ticked the first two boxes.

Then it was a fast drive to Lake Tarawera where Tony managed to catch a bin-full of trout. Four out of six boxes ticked, and on the last morning a walk in the forest in the rain proved fruitless but then, when the sun came out, hunting guide Gus Donald spotted a billy goat feeding on the edge of the forest and Tony nailed it, finishing the challenge with a score of five out of six – a new record.

The rules for the Rheem Big Six Challenge are designed to foster the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play, while retaining a level playing field.

The object is to catch two saltwater fish, shoot two game animals and catch two freshwater fish within 48 hours.

The clock starts at the time of the hook-up of the first fish or the first shot is fired. Sea fish must be a species recognised for record-keeping purposes, of legal size and two different species must be caught.

Game fish may be tagged and released and the boat skipper’s estimate of weight will be accepted.

Freshwater fish can be any combination of the different sport fish on the licence, including Quinnat salmon, land-locked salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, tiger trout and brook trout.

LEFT Murray Bond, far left, had a great time in Kaikoura.

TOP RIGHT Tony Cain, second from left, had fantastic trout fishing as he set a new record.

MIDDLE RIGHT Peter Illingworth, with rifle, had a wild couple of days.

BOTTOM RIGHT The first challenger, Reece Hesketh (left) found a novel way of hanging up his bag.

Game animals must be hunted under recognised Fair Chase conditions and must be males of two different species; including all species of deer, chamois, thar, goats and wild pig. Helicopters and vehicles may be used to access hunting areas, but game may not be shot from them. Hunting must be done during daylight hours, and spotlights are not permitted.

Weather conditions and the time of day are all factors which influence the decisions on what to do first, and where to go.

Who will be the next winner? And will they be up for it?

BETTER SURFCASTING

– AVOID NEWBIE MISTAKES

By Andy Macleod

Picture a perfect, hot, sunny day with blue water lapping gently at the shores of a ^OP[L ZHUK Z\YM ILHJO >OH[ JV\SK THRL `V\ MLLS TVYL SPRL ÄZOPUN& So what do you do? You dig out that surfcasting set your daughter bought you for Christmas, whack some VSK ÄZOPUN SPUL `V\ MV\UK PU [OL NHYHNL VU [OL YLLS HUK head to the beach via the gas station where you pick up some bait. >OLU `V\ ÄUHSS` NL[ [V [OL ILHJO JOHUJLZ HYL `V\»YL WVZP[P]LS` ÄaaPUN ^P[O HU[PJPWH[PVU I\[ ZHKS` `V\»]L NV[ it all wrong…

Hot, sunny days do not make for good surfcasting *Y`Z[HS JSLHY ^H[LY \UKLY H ISHaPUN Z\U TPNO[ THRL MVY NYLH[ Z\UIH[OPUN HUK Z^PTTPUN I\[ TVZ[ ÄZO ^VU»[ JVTL ^P[OPU JVV LL VM ^HPZ[ KLLW ^H[LY PU Z\JO conditions. You could spend hours at the beach at not get so much as a nibble.

The best you can probably hope for is a stray kahawai or a ray passing by your bait as it suns itself in the warm shallows. More likely your baits will be left alone completely or mercilessly picked at by paddle crabs HUK [PU` IHP[ÄZO However, try the same beach a few hours later under the cover of darkness and it will be transformed, with ÄZO SVZPUN [OLPY KH`[PTL ^HYPULZZ [V LU[LY [OL ZOHSSV^Z in numbers.

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Cheap glass surf rods don’t cut it Bless your loving daughter, but that 12-foot surf rod she gave you for Christmas is incapable of casting more than about 40m.

(UK ^OPSL `V\»YL UV[ NVPUN [V JH[JO T\JO \UKLY the bright sun anyway, you might just improve your chances if you can land a bait beyond the last breakers and into slightly deeper water. But with that cheap glass YVK `V\ JHU»[ L]LU NL[ JSVZL [V [OL JHZ[PUN KPZ[HUJL required and your baits keep landing in the shallow ^HZO ^OLYL UV ZLUZPISL ÄZO ^V\SK ZWLUK [PTL VU Z\JO a bright day.

You can try wading to get the baits a bit further out, I\[ \Z\HSS` P[»Z PTWVZZPISL [V JVTMVY[HIS` VY ZHMLS` ^HKL out far enough to beat the bar. To do that, you need a Z[PɈLY YVK LP[OLY H IL[[LY X\HSP[` ÄIYLNSHZZ YVK VY H rod with graphite in its construction.

A better-quality rod means spending a little bit more money, but these days not a lot more. With a good-quality surfcasting rod you can increase casting distances by at least 50%, which translates into getting HTVUNZ[ [OL ÄZO TVYL VM[LU

( NVVK Z[Pќ Z\YM YVK PZ LZZLU[PHS MVY HJOPL]PUN KLJLU[ JHZ[PUN KPZ[HUJLZ HUK SHUKPUN IHP[Z PU KLLWLY ÄZO OVSKPUN ^H[LY

“

,QVVKRUH ƓVK VSHFLHV are g generally y wary y feeders and d fresh h EDLW DQG H[FHOOHQW EDLW SUH HVHQ QWDWLRQ DUH FULLWLFDO WR VXFFHVVV

Freezer burned bait is unappetising, even to fish When you got to the garage all they had left in the bait freezer was some freezer-burned squid bait that looked like it’d been thawed and refrozen half a dozen times. But it’ll be all right mate, won’t it?

No, it won’t be!

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Heavy mainline is a problem

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cause surf rods and long lengths of mono absorb huge amounts of energy. When surfcasting a clean break of [OL SPUL PZ L_[YLTLS` YHYL 0»]L JH\NO[ ÄZO ^LSS V]LY RN PU ^LPNO[ VU RN SPUL ¶ HSS P[ [HRLZ PZ H IP[ VM WH[PLUJL

For me it would go something like this: V

Streamlined and subtle surfcasting rigs cast well and are TVYL SPRLS` [V MVVS ^HY` ÄZO

Get your rigs right

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On the end of your line you’ve tied a three hook ‘bling’ YPN ^P[O OLH]` NH\NL U`SVU OVVRZ HUK HSS ZVY[Z VM NSP[[LYPUN HWWLUKHNLZ Z\JO HZ ILHKZ HUK ZRPY[Z 9PNO[ VU [OL IV[[VT VM [OPZ SLKNLY YPN PZ H Ä]L V\UJL ZPURLY >OLU `V\ NV [V THRL H JHZ[ HSS [OPZ NLHY OHUNPUN VɈ [OL YVK [PW MLLSZ ]LY` OLH]` THRPUN `V\Y YVK ILUK SPRL [\ZZVJR PU [OL ^PUK ;OPZ PZ UV[ OLSWPUN `V\Y JHZ[PUN KPZ[HUJL LP[OLY I\[ L]LU PM `V\ KV THUHNL [V SHUK `V\Y NLHY PU YLHZVUHIS` KLLW ÄZO OVSKPUN ^H[LY JOHUJLZ HYL `V\ ^VU»[ NL[ H IP[L 0U Z\JO IYPNO[ JVUKP[PVUZ PU ZOHSSV^ ^H[LY ÄZO HYL NVPUN [V ZLL L]LY` IP[ VM [OPZ YPN ¶ [OL [OPJR NH\NL U`SVU [OL O\NL OVVRZ HUK L]LY`[OPUN LSZL 0U HSS SPRLSPOVVK [OL` ^VU»[ [HRL [OL IHP[ ILJH\ZL ^OPSL P[ ZTLSSZ NVVK P[ SVVRZ KLJPKLKS` Z\ZWPJPV\Z :SPT `V\Y YPNZ IHJR \ZPUN ÄUL NH\NL U`SVU SI PZ H NVVK Z[HUKHYK " \ZL H ZPUNSL KYVWWLY [V PUJYLHZL `V\Y JHZ[PUN KPZ[HUJL HUK [HRL [OL OVVR ZPaL KV^U [V VY L]LU ZTHSSLY ( ZSPTSPUL YPN SPRL [OPZ ^PSS JHZ[ T\JO IL[[LY HUK SVVR MHY SLZZ Z\ZWPJPV\Z [V ÄZO MLLKPUN PU KH`SPNO[¶ H[ UPNO[ [OL ]PZ\HS HZWLJ[ KVLZU»[ TH[[LY ZV T\JO I\[ L]LU [OLU [OL L_[YH JHZ[PUN KPZ[HUJL `V\»SS NL[ ^P[O [OPZ ZSPTTLK KV^U YPN ^PSS SPRLS` PUJYLHZL `V\Y JH[JO YH[L :V UV^ 0»]L [VSK `V\ ^OH[ UV[ [V KV 3L[»Z PTHNPUL [OH[ same scenario again and do it right.

¸.LL [OH[ ILHJO SVVRZ MHU[HZ[PJ 0 [OPUR 0»SS NV OVTL HUK WYLWHYL T`ZLSM [V HYYP]L IHJR H[ [OL ILHJO H[ K\ZR Q\Z[ HZ [OL ÄZO HYL TV]PUN PU HUK HSS [OL beachgoers are heading home.”

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HUNTING THE

SIKA ROAR

+HYYLS >VUN HUK :[L]L 7HSTLY OH]L LUQV`LK O\U[PUN ZPRH MVY ZL]LYHS KLJHKLZ ;OL` OH]L W\[ [VNL[OLY ZVTL [OV\NO[Z VU O\U[PUN [OLZL JYHM[` SP[[SL KLLY K\YPUN [OL YVHY

D

etailed descriptions of the sika deer can be found in various hunting books. However the key points to note are they are much smaller

[OL +6* ^LIZP[L VY ^P[O [OL SVJHS +6* VɉJL There are numerous road access points and the more central huts can be accessed on foot or by

than red deer, have a distinctive white rump patch, are

helicopter. To access areas that receive less hunting

more vocal with smaller antlers characterised by four

pressure might require walking three hours or more

points a side. Sika survive on plant feed red deer would

before setting up camp.

ÄUK \UWHSH[HISL

WHERE DO YOU HUNT SIKA? Sika deer are found in the Kaimaniwa, Kaweka and Ahimaniwa forests in the central North Island. Much of

Helicopters provide easier access and save your legs, but hunting pressure might be intense during the roar.

Increased hunting pressure doesn’t mean you won’t shoot any deer, but deer are probably warier.

When looking for a trophy stag, search for an area with

this is public land administered by the Department of

an excellent year round food supply (eg. grass) coupled

Conservation (DOC), but there is private land spread

with excellent shelter (eg. manuka), preferably somewhere

within the area as well. Check where you can hunt on

not easily hunted by others.

VɈZP[LUa 13

PREPARATION

raincoat, GPS, PLB, camera, tripod, binoculars, boots,

One of the keys to success when hunting sika is good

roaring horns and deer callers. Sometimes wet suit

preparation. It pays to do your research. Ask questions

booties or quiet running shoes are useful. If you are

of other hunters, read hunting magazines, look closely at

walking in, weight becomes a factor, so pack carefully.

relevant maps, talk to experienced hunters (try the local

7YHJ[PJL `V\Y ZPRH JHSSZ I` ^H[JOPUN @V\;\IL 3LHYU H

NZDA), helicopter operators, hunting retailers, DOC and

sika stagâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s single call and maybe the spiker mew. If you

anyone else who might be able to give you a few pointers.

are using an electronic caller â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and there are some very

Obviously if you are hunting sika deer, one of the most

good ones â&#x20AC;&#x201C; make sure you are familiar with the calls

PTWVY[HU[ [VVSZ PZ [OL YPÃ&#x2026;L ;OLYL HYL THU` JHTWÃ&#x201E;YL KL-

and the nuances of the particular caller. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want

bates about the best brands and calibres for hunting. Get

to press the wrong button at the wrong time!

NVVK HK]PJL ILMVYL W\YJOHZPUN H YPÃ&#x2026;L (U` OPNO WV^LYLK YPÃ&#x2026;L ^P[O H JHSPIYL MYVT \W^HYKZ

If you have time, scout out the hunting area before [OL YVHY! Ã&#x201E;UK HJJLZZ [YHJRZ HUK SVVR MVY VSK ^HSSV^Z

will do the job. Bullet construction is probably more

ZJYHWLZ HUK HYLHZ VM OPNO KLLY \ZHNL ;YHPS JHTLYHZ HYL

PTWVY[HU[ [OHU JHSPIYL ;OL PZ H NVVK JOVPJL K\L [V

very useful to determine deer numbers and quality. If you

its lower recoil.

donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have time to scout an area, it might pay to spend

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

`V\Y Ã&#x201E;YZ[ KH` MHTPSPHYPZPUN `V\YZLSM ^P[O [OL O\U[PUN ISVJR

While sika have sharp eyesight, it is arguably the least acute sense in the sikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s repertoire for detecting danger.

Make sure you get a quality scope. Most of us use ]HYP WV^LY ZJVWLZ ( _ ZOV\SK KV [OL QVI LP[OLY

SIKA STAG BEHAVIOUR As the roar approaches in late March, stags migrate

in the bush or on the open tops. Your local hunting

Z[HY[ [V THYR V\[ [LYYP[VYPLZ ;OL WLHR YVHY [PTLZ ZLLT [V

retailer should be able to point you in the right direction.

IL IL[^LLU (WYPS HUK (WYPS KLWLUKPUN VU [OL `LHY

An often neglected task (weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been guilty of this [VV PZ ZPNO[PUN PU `V\Y YPÃ&#x2026;L ^P[O [OL HTTV `V\ PU[LUK [V

the weather and the menstrual cycling of the hinds.

Sika hinds stay in relatively small territories which

\ZL 0[ PZ ILZ[ [V ZPNO[ PU YPÃ&#x2026;LZ H[ TH_PT\T WVPU[ ISHUR

ILJVTL Z[HN THNUL[Z! Ã&#x201E;UK [OL OPUKZ HUK [OL Z[HNZ ^PSS

range, which for most high-calibre cartridges is two

be close by.

[V [OYLL PUJOLZ OPNO H[ TL[YLZ ;OL HWWYV_PTH[L

Hinds like north-facing basins and faces that catch the

LÉ&#x2C6;LJ[P]L [HYNL[ ZPaL VM H ZPRH ZOV\SKLY PZ LPNO[ PUJOLZ

sun for most of the day, as well as areas with good feed.

0M `V\ HYL O\U[PUN PU [OL I\ZO aLYVPUN PU `V\Y YPÃ&#x2026;L H[

East-facing slopes might be warmer in the mornings and

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west-facing ones in the afternoon.

Hinds often seek out good feed in the creek heads

0[ YLHSS` WH`Z [V NL[ Ã&#x201E;[ ^LSS ILMVYL `V\ NV O\U[PUN PU [OL

(broadleaf and grasses), clearings, terraces and manu-

roar. It allows you to survive the walk in (if you are walking

RH ILLJO IV\UKHYPLZ >L [Y` [V Ã&#x201E;UK HZWLJ[Z [OH[ HYL

in), stalk more carefully and concentrate for longer. Also, if

warm, sheltered from the wind and provide good feed.

you are lucky enough to get an animal, it will prepare you for the carry out.

Stags waiting for hinds to cycle often frequent the ZHKKSLZ HUK ZW\YZ VÉ&#x2C6; [OL ZPKL VM YPKNLZ I\[ HSZV OVSL

Organise your gear: make lists, check food (weight

up in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dirtyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; country, perhaps due to hunting

HUK JHSVYPÃ&#x201E;J ]HS\L JSV[OPUN KLLY IHNZ ZOHYW RUP]LZ

pressure. Sika stags also seem to be more active in the

14 V 6É&#x2C6; ZP[L

morning or late afternoon, especially in areas of higher

sounds, like mews, cats etc. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised by what

hunting pressure.

you hear!

Stags leave sign (other than prints and droppings) like rubs on bushes, trees and saplings. They also leave scrapes on the ground, made with their front feet and

SIKA SENSES Sika have an acute sense of smell. Generally if they

sometimes their antlers. Fresh scrapes are one of the

smell you they will depart the scene, either with a tell-tale

better indicators of recent stag activity. Rubs are often

whistle, or by just ghosting away.

found in close proximity to a scrape.

Scrapes are scent and possibly visual markers. Stags

Your scent may travel a long way on the wind, so always try to hunt INTO the wind. The wind is the big-

urinate to re-mark their scrapes, but usually only once,

NLZ[ MHJ[VY HÉ&#x2C6;LJ[PUN [OL Z\JJLZZ VM H Z[HSR ZV HKQ\Z[

since stags only stay in a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;territoryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; until they have

your stalking to take it into account.

mated with the hinds living there and then move on.

Sika ears are large and rotate constantly listening for

The lesson here is: if you hear a roar (and have time) it

danger. They have excellent hearing, but by using the

is good idea to go after the stag as it may be gone the

terrain â&#x20AC;&#x201C; streams, bushes, little hollows and spurs etc. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;

next day.

intelligently, it is possible to get close to them before they

Wallows are another sign of stags in an area. They are

detect you.

often located in slow running or stagnant creek beds or

Hunt slowly and quietly. How slow is slow? In good

natural pooled water. Stags like to lie in wallows, urinate

sign areas, or when you are getting close, 200 metres

in them and generally mark them. Wallows are often

an hour might be too fast!

used by multiple stags.

Be prepared to hunt in bare feet, socks or dive boo-

The sika roar usually peaks mid- to late April. Sika

ties, especially in very dry conditions. Still hunting and

Z[HNZ OH]L [^V [`WLZ VM YVHY ;OL Ă&#x201E;YZ[ PZ [OV\NO[ [V IL

waiting for the stag to come to you is probably the best

an intermittent territorial â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hee-hawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; call, which sounds

strategy when you are close to an animal. Sometimes

like a donkey braying. This occurs every half an hour

you need to be very patient.

or so during a good roar and can be heard from a

While sika have sharp eyesight, it is arguably the least

distance. It is generally thought to advertise a stagâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

acute sense in the sikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s repertoire for detecting danger.

presence to the hinds.

Sika quickly pick up on movement or unnatural sights

The second is the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;single callâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which is considered a challenge call. This is the call most hunters use to roar-in sika stags. Stags also make other much quieter

Steve Palmer with a good sika stag.

LN ÂşIHYYLS Ă&#x2026;HZOÂť I\[ HYL VM[LU \UZ\YL PM `V\ YLTHPU Z[PSS Wearing clothing that breaks up your outline in the forest can help. Deer eyes have only two colour cones,

Rubbing on a sapling.

Sika stag scrapes.

VÉ&#x2C6;ZP[LUa 15

so they see their environment in shades of green/yellow.

(S^H`Z ^HP[ [V TPU\[LZ ILMVYL TV]PUN VU

They will not pick up any colours in the orange/red parts

¶ ZVTL[PTLZ [OL Z[HNZ HYL Z[HSRPUN `V\ 3PZ[LU MVY

VM [OL ZWLJ[Y\T )SHaL VYHUNL JHTV\Ã&#x2026;HNL JSV[OPUN PZ

JOHUNLZ PU I\ZO UVPZLZ LN ZUHWWPUN Z[PJRZ Y\Z[SPUN

our preference: it will NOT HÉ&#x2C6;LJ[ O\U[PUN Z\JJLZZ I\[ P[

]LNL[H[PVU IPYK HSHYT JHSSZ 0M `V\ KVU»[ OH]L HU` QV`

might save your life.

TV]L X\PL[S` IHJR \W [OL ZW\Y VU[V [OL YPKNL HUK NV [OL UL_[ ZW\Y

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

KV^U [OL UL_[ VUL VY JHYLM\SS` ZPKSL HJYVZZ [OL N\[ [V

Whenever possible, try to get the stag to come to you not the other way around.

HUNTING STRATEGIES

>OLU O\U[PUN ZPRH K\YPUN [OL YVHY SVVR MVY Ã&#x2026;H[[PZO VY gently sloping places with some cover. Saddles, spurs VÉ&#x2C6; YPKNLZ HUK ILLJO THU\RH THYNPUZ HYL HSZV L_JLS SLU[ WSHJLZ [V SVVR ;Y` [V HWWYVHJO MYVT HIV]L HZ `V\ NLULYHSS` OH]L IL[[LY ]PZPIPSP[`

0M `V\ KV OLHY H Z[HN YVHY WPUWVPU[ OPZ WVZP[PVU HZ ILZ[ `V\ JHU ILMVYL TV]PUN [V^HYKZ OPT 6UJL `V\ KLJPKL [V TV]L PU VU [OL Z[HN HZ VWWVZLK [V ^HP[PUN MVY OPT [V JVTL [V `V\ JHYLM\SS` JV]LY OHSM [OL LZ[PTH[LK KPZ[HUJL HUK YLHZZLZZ `V\Y UL_[ TV]L @V\ TPNO[ Ã&#x201E;UK the stag has moved â&#x20AC;&#x201C; usually trying to cut your wind!

When we get close to an animal, we prefer to use a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; imitating a spiker, as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less intimidating to the Z[HN +VU»[ V]LY YVHY Sika readily come in to a roar during the rut and often TVYL X\PJRS` [OHU `V\ HU[PJPWH[LK ZV THRL Z\YL `V\ OH]L `V\Y YPÃ&#x2026;L YLHK` >OLUL]LY WVZZPISL [Y` [V NL[ [OL stag to come to you not the other way around. Wait as long as it takes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sika often stand like statues waiting for the hunter to make a mistake.

Watch out for the stags coming in to you on your

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contour line, trying to cut your wind. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t usually SPRL HWWYVHJOPUN KPYLJ[S` MYVT ILSV^ >OLYL WVZZPISL \[PSPZL SVVRV\[Z HUK [Y` Z[PSS O\U[PUN When moving, go slowly and carefully, watching for

>OLYL WVZZPISL ZLSLJ[ O\U[ [LYYHPU [OH[ PZ PU `V\Y

`V\Y X\HYY` HSS [OL ^OPSL 0M `V\ OLHY VY ZLL H Z[HN

favour. Try and draw out stags that are holed up in

HWWYVHJOPUN THRL Z\YL `V\ OH]L `V\Y YPÃ&#x2026;L HSYLHK` \W

ºKPY[`» VY º[PNO[» I\ZO >L WYLMLY H[ SLHZ[ TL[YLZ VY TVYL VM ]PZPIPSP[` PU [OL I\ZO HZ P[»Z ]LY` OHYK [V ZOVV[ ZVTL[OPUN ^OLU `V\ HYL [HUNSLK PU I\ZO SH^`LY HUK

HUK WYLMLYHIS` YLZ[LK HNHPUZ[ [OL ULHYLZ[ [YLL PU JHZL H IPN WVPU[LY HWWLHYZ ILMVYL `V\ ;OL JOLZ[ ZOV[ PZ YLJVTTLUKLK HWWYV_PTH[LS` IV[[VT

making a racket!

Try moving down a spur, stopping to roar at intervals ^P[O `V\Y YPÃ&#x2026;L H[ [OL YLHK` 3VVR HUK SPZ[LU JHYLM\SS` +VU»[ IL HMYHPK [V YVHY MYLX\LU[S` HUK SV\KS` /\U[PUN [OL YVHY KLTHUKZ H SV[ VM WH[PLUJL ZV KVU»[ IL KPZJV\YHNLK I` H SHJR VM YLZWVUZL Q\Z[ RLLW [Y`PUN

[OPYK VM JOLZ[ YV\NOS` PU SPUL ^P[O H MYVU[ SLN ^OPJO ZOV\SK take out the lungs.

0KLU[PM` `V\Y [HYNL[ IL`VUK HSS KV\I[ ILMVYL JSVZPUN [OL IVS[ ¶ P[»Z IL[[LY [V IL ZHML [OHU ZVYY`¯ .VVK S\JR LUQV` [OL YVHY HUK Z[H` ZHML

NEXT ISSUE:

16 V 6É&#x2C6; ZP[L

V V V V

WORK HARD PLAY HARD!

WANGANELLA TOPWATER MARLIN 1,+ 9(+3,@ ;9(+0, 796-03, -069+3(5+ /<5; -0:/ (5+ +0=, >05 >0;/ 6(23,@

TARGET BIG FISH FROM A KAYAK

)` 9VI -VY[

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B

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IPN ILJH\ZL [OL` HYL ^LHR ;OL` HSTVZ[ UL]LY

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WSH` I` [OL IVVR JH[JOPUN V\[ [OL \U^HY` 0

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;OL MVSSV^PUN [LJOUPX\LZ OH]L KPYLJ[S` PUJYLHZLK [OL U\TILY VM LUJV\U[LYZ 0»]L OHK ^P[O IPN ÄZO

TAKE IT GENTLY 0[ ^V\SK IL KPɉJ\S[ [V JV]LY HSS [OL ^H`Z [V [HYNL[

USING A KAYAK FOR STEALTH ;OLYL PZ ZVTL[OPUN ZWLJPHS HIV\[ TV]PUN HSVUN SPZ[LUPUN

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FORD RANGER LOOKING GOOD ON AND OFF SITE! 7KH ([WUHPH5 SDFNDJH KDV EHHQ FUHDWHG E\ 3DFL¿F 0RWRU *URXS WR HQKDQFH WKH VWDQGDUG )RUG 5DQJHU WXUQLQJ LW LQWR D YHKLFOH ZKLFK H[XGHV FXVWRPLVHG FKDUDFWHU ZKLOH HQDEOLQJ WUDGLHV WR PDNH WKH PRVW RI WKRVH µ NQRW GD\V¶ An ExtremeR-equipped Ranger is for the discerning driver who wants to make a statement about his passion for perfection. It takes the mainstream and personalises it, creating a unique masterpiece of style. At the ramp or the job site, the Ford Ranger ExtremeR stands out from the crowd.

The ExtremeR includes 20-inch EVR Fang wheels and all-terrain tyres, along with ExtremeR badges and decals, provide distinctive recognition from every angle. The crowning jewel setting this vehicle apart is the bespoke ExtremeR grille. There is no mistaking that this vehicle has been enhanced beyond the mass produced. ,QVLGH LV ZKHUH WKH ([WUHPH5 VKRZV D OHYHO RI UH¿QHPHQW WKDW towers above its peers. The Pantera Leather interior has designer inserts, along with upgraded top end sport seats.

The beautiful aroma of leatherâ&#x20AC;¦ will bring a lasting connection only an ExtremeR owner will understand â&#x20AC;&#x201C; together with the SUDFWLFDO EHQH¿WV RI OLYLQJ ZLWK OHDWKHU LQ WKH KDUVKHVW RI ZRUN DQG play environments.

Additional options of retractable load covers, sports bars and factory accessories can be added to complement and set your truck apart.

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Pacific Motor Group Whangarei | 52 Porowini Ave | (09) 430 4470 J^PUK\Z['WHJPÃ&#x201E;JTV[VYNYV\W JV Ua

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Oakley Turbine Rotor Prizm Daily Polarized Sunglasses (Matte) Oakley Turbine Rotor Prizm Deep H2) Polarized Sunglasses (Polished Black)

Oakley Twoface Prizm Daily Polarized Sunglasses (Matte)

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