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HAWKES BAY
Special
Feature: Excellent red and sika hunting in Kawekas
The sweeping curve of Hawke’s Bay from Napier to Mahia
Peninsula fronts a deep hinterland of golden brown rolling hills
and steep-sided mountain ranges.
Hawke’s Bay is a blessed land of fruitful bounty with
sun-kissed vineyards and abundant fruit and produce. This plenty
also extends to the mountainous interior where red and sika deer
herds are well-established and wild pigs and goats roam largely
undisturbed.
The southern Urewera, Ahimanawa and Kaweka ranges are perhaps the
most productive deer hunting areas in the North Island. This
continuous band of broken country is drained by a river system
dominated by the Waiau, Mohaka, Waipunga and Ngaruroro rivers.
Red deer are common throughout the region and have established a
stronghold in the Kawekas, which recently prompted severe control
measures by DOC. Hunting prospects are still good for those
prepared to tramp 2 to 3 hours into the remote valleys. The heavy
scrub country in the Mohaka headwaters has one of the highest red
deer densities in the country. The Napier-Taihape road penetrates
the Kawekas, passing through Kuripapango, where there is good
access to the Ngaruroro catchment. The Napier-Taupo road runs
parallel with the Ahimanawas affording direct entry into this
productive hunting area.
Japanese sika deer where introduced in the Kaimanawas in 1905 and
now have spread as far as East Cape and the Ruahines. The Eastern
Kawekas are highly valued by hunters as a Recreational Hunting
Area. Sika are a real challenge to hunt because of their native
cunning and elusiveness. They give a high-pitched whistle when
alarmed and often keep a hunter under surveillance by circling
round behind and following him.
Wild pigs are widespread in low to moderate numbers, inhabiting
the manuka scrub and fern-covered slopes on the eastern periphery
of the ranges. Goats are found in pockets atop high bluffs and
gorges in the eastern forest fringes, and wild sheep live along
isolated stretches of the Mohaka and Ngaruroro rivers.
Mallard, grey, hybrid ducks and paradise shelducks are plentiful
on rivers, streams and lakes. Ring necked pheasants and
California quail populate the river margins and pine plantations.
Guided hunting for red, sika and fallow deer, goats and waterfowl
is available in Gisborne. Free range safaris for red and sika
deer trophies are run on Ngamatea Station. Napier has guided
quail and pheasant hunts with English pointer dogs.
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