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ex culler
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Registered: Feb 2006
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 Posted Sunday, June 4, 2006 @ 11:11 PM
Whenever I hear the words wild sheep I instantly think the Hokonuis in Southland,or the Kakanuis just
south of Oamaru..Having only hunted the Hokonuis twice, I am far more familiar with the Kakanuis.
The Kakanuis has over the years produced some good trophy rams and has been a popular area for local hunters seeking a red stag or big boar. Although not known to produce top trophy heads, now and again a hunter will pull out a nice head.
A good two-three curler wild ram is quite sought after by local N.Z.D.A members also and can stir up a lot of discussion come trophy night. Some overseas hunters will include a good ram head on their list also and have left the Kakanui area with a good trophy.
Farmers whose land borders the wild sheep areas have over the years,shot any rams on sight as they are known to round up a few ewes and head off into the bush,making it very difficult for the farmer trying to get them back. There has been much debate as to what their actual breed is,as far as I,m aware there has been no definite name put forward although there has been a mixture of suggestions. One or two chaps that I have met in the Kakanui area have in the past shot these wild sheep,clipped off the fleece then carried it out in sacks and made a good profit. Some farmers have even crossbred them with domestic sheep for the wool quality.
I know of many hunters including myself who have at times had to make a choice when the chance presented itself of either collecting a good ram or deer. Once you have let of a shot any deer in the area will naturally vacate damn quick-the sheep aren't stupid either and once disturbed are quick to leave also.
In regards to breeding,some say the rams stay in groups for most of the year then split up and go looking for
the ewes,others say they are breeding all year round .I have seen mixed groups all year round and also groups of rams only,when one observes young lambs all year round then I guess it says it all.
Two wild rams smashing their heads together will echo a long way off. It can be exciting stuff stalking in on fighting rams,not really knowing just how big their heads are and its not easy if they are down in a deep bushy gully. Most of the native where the sheep live can be thick with bush nettles and the floor of native guts are 90 percent loose shale rock, making stalking quite difficult whether it be sheep or deer.
Wild sheep can be found on tussock ridges that run down into the bush also, the same place one would expect to find deer, wild sheep however will spend longer periods out in the open and can be observed through out the day.
Wild sheep meat is delicious with just a slight game taste and can have a stringy like grain when cooked.
The hind legs make great mutton hams, some locals roll the forequarter and have it pickled then slice it like you would with bacon, once fried it is very similar,,poor mans bacon as it is named,,very tasty indeed.
The only down side to the wild woolies is the ticks and they have plenty,,not the sort of thing you want through your hair or down the back of the neck. They intend to look for new blood once the carcass cools.
The south and north Fraser blocks are popular with hunters and access is usually up through the Herbert forest which itself is mainly pine with native and manuka through out. One spot in particular,Table hill, has been the main camp for hunters to base themselves. Huge areas can be covered from this spot and it is a relatively easy pack in from the top edge of the Herbert forest. Four wheel drive access is possible also but requires private permission and access would be from the main pig route highway,a great trip into Table Top,but definitely in dry weather conditions as some parts of the tracks are clay and are steep in some places.
All in all wild sheep have been hunted by all types whether local or from abroad and can be a lot of fun. If one is lucky enough a good set of ram horns and a load of meat will make the hunt all worthwhile,although
there are many hunters who have shot all three species in just the one day..Wild sheep-deer and pig country,around two hours tramp to this area.
Some of the country in the back of the Table Hill area,as seen from the 4+4
track in from the Pig route.
Wild ewe and a rather fat looking lamb caught out in the open.
Rutherfords area. 
Young boar going about his business-just under Table Top area.
Red hind and spotty in amongst the nettle-down bellow Staircase hut.
Two wild ewes,one old and one not so old-both would be prime meat.
My mate Max with a good boar,a big carry out from in the Canyons area.
A typical scrubby stag.He came crashing out of the nettles in the
background after being roared up.Table Hill area.
My mate with the xmas lamb-This method I sometimes use for bringing out
all the meat without any bone whatsoever,the next step in this pic is to
remove the leg bones,also leaving all the leg meat attached-a good method
with small deer also,especially if the day packs already full.
Great faces for spotting rams,deer or pigs-Staircase area.
Two promising young rams,unaware of the stalker.
My mate with a good ram-notice the slatey rock,common in the area.
Two nicely stained ram heads I have kept from the Kakanuis.
regards EC [Edit by ex culler on Saturday, June 30, 2007 @ 11:33 AM]
[Edit by ex culler on Monday, July 2, 2007 @ 02:47 PM]
[Edit by ex culler on Monday, July 2, 2007 @ 05:51 PM]
[Edit by ex culler on Monday, July 2, 2007 @ 05:57 PM]
[Edit by ex culler on Monday, July 2, 2007 @ 06:00 PM]
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BruceC
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Posted Sunday, June 4, 2006 @ 11:57 PM
That is sooooo good. Thanks EC. You are the man 
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Life can only be understood backwards, but it must first be lived forwards.
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wirehunt
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Posted Sunday, June 4, 2006 @ 11:59 PM
Great story EC, do you know David Bungard? He's knocked around up there mustering for years on Table hill.
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Happy hunting and remember, never trust DoC
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Sika270
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Posted Monday, June 5, 2006 @ 12:20 AM
EC Great photographic essay! It's always good to hear about different hunting areas to the ones I frequent in The NI and the game that inhabits them! 
Great live animal shots!
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'Your three greatest hunts are your first, your last and your next!'
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zeeriverrat
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Posted Monday, June 5, 2006 @ 04:58 AM
EC..what a great set of photos and essay.. One of these days in the not too distant future I plan to make a trip to the S Island to hunt. Photos and essays like yours really do add fuel to the fire... How I would love to have a scrubby stag like that get in front of me some day!!Thanks for posting all that!! Z
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NIMROD
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Posted Monday, June 5, 2006 @ 09:45 AM
ex culler, you have lived a good life. Keep your memoir's coming buddy.Truely awesome.
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Better to Burn Out Than to Rust
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Steve.S
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Posted Monday, June 5, 2006 @ 09:56 AM
Great pics and essay there EC, much appreciated
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tussock
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Posted Monday, June 5, 2006 @ 10:22 AM
Thats near home  The bastards keep 10/80ing it 
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shoby
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Posted Monday, June 5, 2006 @ 11:07 AM
Wonderful place and beautiful pics! thanks EC for a nice read and taking us along. Cheers
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ex culler
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Posted Monday, June 5, 2006 @ 11:15 AM
quote:
Originally posted by tussock
Thats near home The bastards keep 10/80ing it
Hi TUSSOCK-yes mate I get reports from down there,the deer have suffered more than anything 
close to home yi say.
regards
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