Hunter's Strategizing: Upcoming Roar of Cam
In the heart of New Zealand's rugged terrain, experienced hunter Cam Forlong shares his insights on planning and executing a successful stag hunt.
Forlong runs through a mental checklist when identifying an animal during the hunt, considering factors such as age, antler points, awareness, and settlement. He emphasises the importance of knowing one's limits in the backcountry, highlighting potential hazards like river crossings, very steep or icy terrain with technical climbing skills required.
Before embarking on a hunt, Forlong recommends preparing with essential safety equipment, including a GPS, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), and a survival kit, as a minimum. He also suggests reading the NZ Bushcraft Manual online or printing off sections that suit one's needs.
Weather is another crucial factor to consider, and Forlong uses the MetService 5-day rain radar for checking the forecast before a trip. For updated forecasts throughout a trip, he recommends a satellite communication device such as a Satellite Inreach.
Understanding the terrain and potential challenges is key to a successful hunt. Forlong studies topo maps and satellite imagery on Google Earth to gain this understanding. He also uses the Climb NZ website for detailed descriptions of routes and their difficulty. Contour lines on topo maps help identify potential routes for travel.
Forlong's approach for this year's hunt is an expedition style trip where they walk the tops for 7 days. A flooded creek in Lewis Pass can make an easy walk extremely difficult due to fast flow and large hidden boulders, so he marks potential routes and campsites/water sources on maps.
During the Roar, there is a good chance other hunters will be in the area. Forlong encourages visiting the Big Game Hunting page for more planning considerations. He also recommends finding out more about how weather can affect a trip.
Forlong has hunted extensively in the Southern Alps and Central North Island for the past decade. He encourages incrementally building the difficulty and duration of hunts to grow experience and skills. He also recommends using the NZ Hunting and Shooting website for general hunting information and questions.
It's important to note that WARO helicopters have been doing less shooting on the tops compared to pre-covid times, which presents an opportunity for finding a stag during the Roar. However, turning around is always an option if a situation feels out of one's depth and uncomfortable.
In the end, Forlong's advice is simple: be prepared, know your limits, and always prioritise safety.
