Attached a few photos of our hunt that only ended a few days ago.
I' m interested in your comments on the purity of the Wapiti/Hybrids down here.
Wapiti were released in NZ about 100 years ago as a gift from President Roosevelt.
Initially we produced stunning heads, of world record proportions. Several with antlers in excess of 60 inchs. Unfortunately the herd has never been managed and there has been considerable hunting pressure by both foot hunters and helicoptors.
The other problem we have is Hybridisation with Red Deer, which has thinned down the bloodlines.
It' s very difficult to find a Pure Wapiti (They are there.) and most of the animals have a degree of hybridisation. None-the less they are still very exciting to hunt.
Last week I heard up to 10 bugling/roaring at the same time in the Valley we hunted. One large Bull visited our fly camp during the night and bugled all night from a bout 50 yards away, unfortunately he melted away into the darkness before daylight. I did get a glimpse of his big creamy body shape and huge rack, but it was too dark to take an accurate shot, so I held back.
In total we took 5 animals. 4 Bulls and a yearling for camp meat. Only one bull was near pure, and unfortunately he was an old animal with only 6 points.
I am impressed by the body size and the tenacity of these animals. They live in a very difficult environment and seem to prefer terrain that is more suited to mountain goats. The hunt is a huge challenge and requires huge physical effort.
I will never forget arriving in a remote canyon after a full days hard climbing, we sat overlooking a remote lake and then all hell broke loose as two Wapiti Bulls started a Bugling Match, the screaming and bugling echoed off the canyon walls...wow. To me this was the highlight of the hunt, even more so than taking a 13 Point Bull. I' ll go back there some day.
Anyways enjoy the snaps.
Regards
Tim Buma
NB: This is a picture of myself with 13 pointer. He came hunting me, growling as he came. I shot him from about 30 yards, a low neck shot from front-on. He dropped on the spot and proceeded to churn up an area of about 20 square yards as he thrashed in his death throes. The Rifle is a 7mm Ruger M77 fitted with a Leupold 3-9X 40
