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Ben DB
New Zealand
Приєднався 4 січ 2014
Instagram - bendb_wildaboutnz
Rod & Rifle NZ - rodandrifle.co.nz/articles/author/ben-brown/
Rod & Rifle NZ - rodandrifle.co.nz/articles/author/ben-brown/
Life as a Hunter in the Southern Alps of New Zealand - Red Deer, Chamois, Tahr & Wild Goats
Highlight of my missions from June to November 2024.
Переглядів: 4 782
Відео
Putting in the Time - Heavy Public Land Stag - Wapiti, Red Deer & Tahr Hunting New Zealand
Переглядів 11 тис.6 місяців тому
Highlights from my missions - April to June '24.
A Bit of Luck - 325DS Public Land Red Stag - Tahr, Chamois & Red Deer Roar Hunting New Zealand.
Переглядів 14 тис.8 місяців тому
Highlight of my hunting missions from December 2023 to April 2024.
A Hunter's Stories - Red Deer & Chamois Hunting New Zealand
Переглядів 10 тис.Рік тому
Highlights of my missions from April to November 2023.
The Journey (Part 2) - Chamois & Red Deer Hunting New Zealand
Переглядів 8 тис.Рік тому
Highlight of my missions from February 2023 to March 2023.
The Journey (Part 1) - Red Deer & Chamois Hunting New Zealand
Переглядів 6 тис.2 роки тому
Highlight of my Hunting Missions from May 2021 to November 2022. Telling the story of what it takes to find Mature Game Animals in the Southern Alps of new Zealand. #hunting #newzealand #roar #adventure #animals #fitness #hiking #wilderness
Hard Yards Stag - Red Deer, Chamois, Tahr & Roar Hunt
Переглядів 14 тис.3 роки тому
Highlight of my missions from May 2020 to April 2021.
A Mountain Sojourn - Chamois Hunt
Переглядів 1,8 тис.4 роки тому
5 Day solo mission on the west coast hunting for another 10" Chamois Buck.
The Adventure Spirit - Chamois Hunt
Переглядів 2,6 тис.5 років тому
A film depicting what the adventure spirit means to me.
A Trophy for the Ages - Deer & Chamois Hunt
Переглядів 7 тис.5 років тому
A Trophy for the Ages - Deer & Chamois Hunt
Wilderness Wonder - Chamois, Tahr & Goat Hunt
Переглядів 3,2 тис.5 років тому
Music : Time - Klangkarussell ua-cam.com/video/iu3Wfx-mgjE/v-deo.html
Himalayan Tahr Parkour
Переглядів 9396 років тому
Great to see the boys practicing their parkour moves! Was crack up to watch them performing insane 360 and showing mad hops. haha
West Coast Adventure - Chamois Hunt
Переглядів 3,2 тис.6 років тому
Epic 6 day mission which saw me climb over two different mountain ranges, while hunting for chamois.
Late Winter Hunting Summary - Red Deer & Chamois
Переглядів 9546 років тому
Late Winter Hunting Summary - Red Deer & Chamois
Mid Year Hunting Summary - Red Deer and Chamois
Переглядів 8766 років тому
Mid Year Hunting Summary - Red Deer and Chamois
March Hunting Summary HD - Red Deer Roar
Переглядів 1,1 тис.6 років тому
March Hunting Summary HD - Red Deer Roar
February Hunting Summary HD - Red Deer & Chamois
Переглядів 8816 років тому
February Hunting Summary HD - Red Deer & Chamois
January Hunting Summary HD - Red Deer, Chamois & Tahr
Переглядів 9456 років тому
January Hunting Summary HD - Red Deer, Chamois & Tahr
Red deer, chamois & Tahr Hunting NZ 2017
Переглядів 4,8 тис.7 років тому
Red deer, chamois & Tahr Hunting NZ 2017
South Island New Zealand deer and chamois hunting
Переглядів 2,3 тис.7 років тому
South Island New Zealand deer and chamois hunting
Tahr and Chamois Hunting on the West Coast
Переглядів 4487 років тому
Tahr and Chamois Hunting on the West Coast
Arbor Rift Tahr Hunting - Landsborough Wilderness area
Переглядів 3,6 тис.7 років тому
Arbor Rift Tahr Hunting - Landsborough Wilderness area
Got a 22 pointer from my back yard one morning on my way to get my horse then had to get the tractor to get it over the fence 😅😅😅😅
Not a bad morning, good problem to have!
Nice camera work bro.
Cheers bro!
High quality video with action doing the talking, keep up the interesting videos. One of the best on u tube Ben.
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the video! I very much want to let my actions do most of the talking. All the best!
I'm getting into hunting in my early 60's. And find that I am averaging 1 animal everry 12 to 18 months on public land. So not a good strike rate. But when successful I find that with a full pack with camping gear and the meat the pack is so heavy I really don't want to walk more than 2 or maybe 3 hours out to the car. I don't know how to get around that?
Hey mate, If you're not already I would join a hunting organization as they are a great source of information and can have connections to private land which would help with purely filling the freezer. In regards to public land hunting, my advice would be to use topo maps and google earth to identify bush edges, slips and flats that are 1-2 hours walk in. Then walk into those blocks, hunt first then go have a thorough look in the bush for sign. Search in a 1km radius from the bush edge, slips and flats that your hunting. That way you'll know for sure if there are any animals in the area. If yes, animals are present sit down wind of those areas of interest on first and last light 2-3 times. If no, go try somewhere else. Also, make sure those areas of interest are warm, deer hate being cold. Hopefully that helps in some way!
@@bendb_wildaboutnz Thanks for your reply. No I am not a member of the NZDA or anyother organization. I am just going out alone or with a friend and we camp and enjoy each other company like going tramping but take our rifles and binos. But thanks for your suggestions. All worth considering.
When the input from rec hunters is partially effective all the deer will be fat. The numbers in most places aren't good, they are infested & destructive. And some representative places need even lower numbers to preserve some susceptible native biodiversity, the green vote is more than the hunters. And the activism, obstruction, *and dis/misinformation their respective lobbies select to further their agendas has strong parallels, which aren't complimentary if facts matter. Strains credibility, & the anti hunting lobby doesn't need ammo. If hunters shoot every last animal they possibly can it is unlikely they would achieve effective deer/tahr control. Suspect that might not hold true for chamois in some places. It would be good to see meaningful habitat improvement in some areas that demonstrate positive hunting impacts & reduce opportunity for criticism. The expectation sites with acceptable pest numbers would be very difficult to "hunt" (most places have populations at levels avoiding animals is unlikely, they find you) exists, but some don't like the challenge. And they are still deer etc, & often don't like being shot at.
Definitely need to keep working hard as recreational hunters to achieve some level of balance when it comes to ecological and game animal health. Look after the bush and the bush will look after you!
@@bendb_wildaboutnz There might be some credibility if the prominent part of the lobby were realistic. Instead, we hear "recover all meat", "don't shoot females", active opposition of shooting nanny tahr in spring (would they avoid killing rats that might have dependant young, a year-round protection?) Pest control is not killing animals. It is stopping & preventing them from causing whatever damage is the problem, whether over-browsing (which can be nil for some vulnerable species recovery), eradicating bovine TB endemism, or stopping the rosebuds getting eaten by possums. And putting animals out of sight & killing some is seldom sufficient for many objectives. Something the GAC & other hunting lobbies seem unable to grasp. When videos get appreciative comments for shooting 90% of the tahr seen on the trip, or all the possible (some will be smarter than the hunters) hinds & young ones, & any stags they feel like knocking over they see, it might prevent further increase in those areas where population limits have not already been met.
You’ve found Heaven on earth there dude👊🏽. I’m really liking the way you let nature narrate your sharing. That silence sounds roars bro😉. Keep pumping Ben
Cheers bro! Always trying different ways of filming to get the best possible outcome for those giving me their precious time. We all head into the mountains to unplug and get away from artificial noise. I find no background music really immerses you into the moment / landscape. Hope life's treating well brother! Keep charging!
Thanks Ben, excellent as always.
Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it!
@@bendb_wildaboutnz The general locations would be interesting. Many feel they are "revealing" pet spots, but realistically these days the place is so riddled that's usually immaterial. There has probably never been so many easy deer around. These videos are really interesting to see the animals & environmental conditions in various sites, & provide a useful snapshot record in time. Unlike a few whose efforts to conceal locations compromises their contribution. Location can usually be identified if knowing enough, not just personal familiarity. Which would disappoint some whose superior comments tempt identifying actual pet spots.
Is that a 65 litre pack you're using?
Nah its a 83L Osprey Aether. I used to use the 70L version but it was a little small for carrying all my gear on longer duration hunts.
@@bendb_wildaboutnz Thanks, I'm currently using a Tatonka 90 litre. Fits all my gear inside without tying stuff outside, but is far too big to use as a day pack on multi-day hunts. (Unless I carry a day pack). The Aether and Manitoba expedition are the options I'm looking at if I want to replace the big Tatonka. I hear what you say about Lake Sumner area. 30 years ago, when there was unrestricted access up the Hurunui and low deer numbers, I used to drive up past #3 hut and spotlight the flats, along with dozens of other blokes. Haven't been in there since but I believe there is now a locked gate and deer indicator dogs are banned!!! Surely DoC would make it easier for hunters to access the area to reduce deer numbers.
@@willboulton2393 The 70L Aether is a good 5 day or less pack that is lightweight and functional with its detachable day pack. The 85L is a comprise and good for 7 days or less. On 9-10 day missions I do have to strap things on the outside with 85L, hence would be good to have an extra 10L. Numbers up the Upper Hurunui aren't that bad its mainly up the Hope/Nelson Tops & Doubtful where hind numbers need some real management. The 1080 on the TR has done a good job in keeping deer numbers in check up the upper Hurunui. 4x4 access would be much better suited for management purposes up the Hope river than the Hurunui but I doubt either will ever get allowed.
@@bendb_wildaboutnz Thanks for the reply. I'm now off checking the Topomap and maybe have a trip into the Doubtful area. These days pretty much everything I shoot I donate to charity/Salvation Army. There are families out there doing it pretty tough.
@willboulton2393 Nice mate always good to give back to society in some way! The further up the doubtful you go the more hinds you should see. Hopefully it goes well!
Top effort 😎😎👍
Thanks mate!
Great stuff. Those descents are as brutal as going up. Cheers
Couldn't agree more, give me a long scree chute for the decent any day of the week! Hope the hills are treating you well!
Hi, I've watched some of your videos before, but this one must be by far the best quality! Your stalking ability must be very good, or you have some great camera gear to get those close in shots, either way I enjoyed the quality, so thank you for sharing. Your segment on hunt fitness was very well said, something I have let slip myself and need to get back on top of it, although in my 70's I do nowhere near the length of trips you do, to be honest I never did. As the old saying goes, "you don't use it, you lose it"!
Most of those close shots are ultra detailed cause I'm only 20-30m away. I really enjoying getting as close as I possible can to animals, taking a few shots then slipping out. Some say I should bow hunt but it doesn't interest me at all. Absolutely agree, key thing is to maintain as much movement in your daily life as possible, irrespective if you're on or off the hill. We all hunt for slightly different reasons but we can all agree its about enjoying time in the backcountry. Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated! All the best!
Great footage as usual Ben, love how much effort you put in on the hill and behind the camera. The timeless vista shots and live animal footage make it feel like you're taking us with you! I recognised some of that country , makes me homesick!! Cheers for sharing, and great message re you have to pay to play!
Yeah bro I know a fella like you can also read between the lines when it comes to getting a better idea as to how much effort on and off the hill I put into these films. I thought you would, especially when I talked about reminiscing on past missions. 100% bro there are no free lunches in this world! Always good to see you continuing to give back to the hunting community! Keep charging bro!
just came across your channel man is awesome hunted a lot of south Canterbury makes me want to have a crack at the west coast and some of north Canterbury love the way you film and capture the hills and the animals
Nice mate! I cut my teeth as a hunter predominately on the coast, built more character than shooting animals over there. Definitely explore those parts as the beauty about the South Island is we have such differing landscapes so close to each other. Thanks for the feedback!
Awesome mate cheers for the effort and footage👏, getting after it! bring on hard antler and hardout missions 🏕
Thanks mate! 100%, look forward to some warmer and settled weather windows to chase those amazing game animals around the around the Southern Alps! Keep charging mate!
Legend Benny! love ya work
Cheers brother! Good to see you getting as much backcountry time as you can! All the best!
Good morning, Ben, thank you so much for sharing that with us. I think I have seen one other of yours, but this one made me press subscribe. I was impressed with your camera work, some of those on animals were top notch. Also, your video wasn't all about shooting an animal, yes you shot them with a camera, so the same amount of time and skill taken to stalk them is just the same. While I have been shooting, some years now, I only came to four-legged hunting ten years ago, and now 70, I get out there, but wish I'd started years ago. Keep up with what you are doing and please take your camera(s) with you, so we can share too please.
Thanks Richard, appreciate the feedback and glad you enjoyed the film. I aim to make these films more about our wild places than me shooting game animals. Anytime spend in the great outdoors is time well spent, regardless of how you do it. All the best mate!
No way my missus would have 3 heads in the lounge. Had to settle for 1
Yeah I'm pretty lucky in that sense, know plenty of mates that are only allowed 1 max in lounge like yourself. Nonetheless, hope the hills are treating you well mate!
Loving the vids Ben.
Good stuff mate! The further you go back into my films the worse the quality gets haha. This film is where I changed up a few things and got a 4k camera (ZX80). Keep charging mate!
@bendb_wildaboutnz I'm stuck in Antarctica for another few months so just binge watching nz hunting videos each night is my therapy.
Enjoyed the way this was filmed and edited. Minimal narration and just the raw wildlife/scenery footage. Pleasure to watch and listen to.
Thanks mate! I always want these films to be about New Zealand's beautiful rivers, mountains and game animals than having me at the center of each film. Its great that people like yourself see that this film is so much more than an amazing public land stag! Hope the hills are treating you well!
Worth considering the optimism about how difficult the places one can get into also require getting out of. Everyone has their personal ability limits. Some get away with it for life, others get dinged up soon, and the black bag is an incongruously cool way to finish a trip & maybe irritate the better half. Knowing when to turn around or try another way or sit it out makes a lot of sense. It's surprising more don't come to grief given the popularity & ease of access into some places that can turn very nasty for the inexperienced or unprepared. Wild animals belong to the hunter once legally taken, and if someone is doing that for carcasses that is far better for the environment than some hunter that expects jam on it killing stuff all. Many advocate for the current significantly overpopulated pest status that has caused severe ecological damage in many places (shown in Landsborough footage). It's why their input to wild animal/noxious pest management is mostly inept and lacks credibility. When enough representative areas have healthy palatable understory plants to support viable populations of native species that rely on that ecosystem, they are being positive (this isn't endorsing DoC's achievements either). At a recent event attended by many who had been involved in professional hunting since before commercial carcass recovery, the consensus was there are now probably as many wild animals around then. Some were now being employed to shoot to waste.
The mountains certainly teach you a lot about how to live that's for sure! Experience definitely helps making better calls in the mountains but fatigue can cancel that out. That's why I work hard at staying as fit as I possibly can. Game animal management should primarily focus on ecological health i.e healthy carrying capacity of different areas. Ultimately, the commercial interest (WARO) and recreational hunters need to work together to achieve better ratios of breeding females and males. Nonetheless, appreciate the feedback!
Epic mission as always mate, great stag! Well deserved - luck happens when preparation meets opportunity 😉 The lounge looks great 👍 Cheers for the vid.
Thanks mate, certainly nice when hard work pays off! Good to see you getting after it in the outdoors! All the best!
what part of the country is this?😊
Most of the footage comes from Fiordland, Canterbury High Country and Marlborough.
The photos and video are brilliant, you put in the hard yards, and deserve the spoils, awesome
Appreciate the feedback mate, certainly feels good having more success this year. All the best in the hills!
👏 👏 🦌 🦌
Awesome work Ben, great old stag. Inspiring stuff 🔥🔥
Thanks mate, he's certainly a proper old stag! Hugely rewarding after so many years of coming home empty handed. All the best the hills mate, keep charging!
Luv your vids Ben, next level, down to earth.....awseomw mate, keep up the great work.
Thanks heaps mate! I'm glad I didn't waste your time! Keep charging and all the best in the hills!
Well done Ben, quality photography, good advice from a young fella, all the best for the future
Thanks mate glad you enjoy it! Hopefully fellas younger than me just think about that advice as its certainly help me! I see a lot of poor choices being made by young fellas these days, to which, a lot of the mental issues are due to. Nonetheless, Hope the hills are treating you well!
solid bro
Cheers bro!
awesome vid Ben! and yes, public land hunting is luck, and timing, but your not gonna get either by sitting on the couch , ya gotta get amongst it! keep em coming mate, mint heads by the way
Thanks mate and your right, you need to be in it to win it! Hope the hills are treating you well!
@@bendb_wildaboutnz cheers mate, never a bad day in the hills 😀
Well done Ben, i enjoyed your vidio mate, great work and I'll subscribe 👍
Glad you enjoyed the video mate! All the best!
Congratulations mate, Cracker heavy timbered 12
Thanks mate, the heaviness in his antlers is the real winner for me! Hope the hills are treating you well!
nice Ben, luck plays a part in every hunt, but the more effort you put in the less you have to rely on it. Those teeth looked munted! I've often wondered if they wear out quicker on the tops with the harder feed. Cheers for the great video.
Yeah mate, I reckon the harder you work the more luck you build up. Certainly nice when it all comes together! Its interesting because he has the best mineralization/ compact bone in a set antlers I've ever held which suggest the feed was top notch. Not sure if that would affect his teeth degrading quicker, potentially though? Thanks mate, great to see and rose getting into the hills regularly! All the best!
@@bendb_wildaboutnz Minerals are key for sure. I've watched a slip for years and the deer gravitate to an area of about 2 square metres and it's a large slip. I'm guessing there's a natural mineral lick there with something they need. Rose has got her act together....mostly lol. Heading for a few days on Friday. looking like a wet walk in. Hopefully catch you in there sometime.
Wicked footage mate enjoyed watching this
Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed the film! Keep charging!
That was excellent and really well edited
That's for the feedback mate, glad you enjoyed the film!
Mean video bro. My lounge looks the same as yours with my 3 favourite stags. So much hard work and time went into getting those animals.
Love it mate, nothing better than looking up at those stags smiling at all the hard work and time you invested to get them! Glad your running the same loungeroom set up!! All the best!
Another awesome vid. Ben Remember you created the opportunity for the luck to present itself. Success needs both to make the it happen🙏👍
100% agree, crazy how life goes as a hunter though. One mission you've having the worst time with weather and animals the next you secure an amazing 12 point stag. What I didn't talk about was the fact that a party of hunters had just hunter that area. Everywhere I went fresh boot prints were found! Luck is a funny thing!
More than not bad,fantastic even royal. Congratulations, well deserved.
I know aye, couldn't believe how even he is when I got up to him. No more than a 2" different in all tines. The real winner for me is the weight of antlers, excellent compact bone/mineralization laid down. Hope the hills are treating you well!
Love your work and commitment.
Thanks for your feedback, certainly try to be consistent! All the best!
EPIC👏🏕
Thanks mate! Hope the hills are treating you well!
@@bendb_wildaboutnz yep got 2 meat animals last week(venny) and 2 stags and a meat animal in roar, and plenty of encounters, might try squeeze in a tahr hunt soon if im lucky🏕
@@Sako75.7mm08 That's the go mate, sounds like your freezer will be full for a while! All the best for your potential Tahr hunt, the mountains in Tahr country are starting to look epic with all the snow!
Bit of luck sure! But definitely can't take away the fact you have put in the hours/km's and passed up plenty of other animals! Great life coaching lessons thrown in there too!!
Thanks mate! For me, I'm constantly reminding myself of the 100's of mission I've gone home empty handed. You can do everything right but without luck it can never happen. Also good to see you working in that health and fitness space. Nothing better than helping people become better versions of themselves! Keep up the awesome work mate!
Ain’t watched yet but I reckon she’ll be good Ben👍🏼. Stoked already for you mate 👊🏽
Cheers brother! Hopefully you'll enjoy the film, certainly worked hard! Hope all is well with you brother!
Mahi man 🔨
Cheers bro, I have no doubt you've been punching out some epic missions as well (if your the same Rueben I meet a couple years ago?). All the best bro!
Love the voluntary adversity! Great advice 👍
Cheers bro, I have no doubt you've used the same skills gained from the mountains to help solve urban jungle problems. Hope all is well bro!
Thank You again Ben, for sharing your adventures with us. Regards Johno
Thanks mate, appreciate the feedback! Hard to beat a life in the Southern Alps! All the best!
Epic video and trip Ben. Did you get any snaps of the stag after you shot him? Or are you saving them for another magazine article? Also how long and how many points was the casty? Great talk on the mental side of things. I think a lot of people would benefit from big solo missions where they can’t rely on a friend to talk to or get comfort from. Being solo in the mountains will do wonderful things for the mind body and soul!
Hey mate! I shot him right on last light and took a couple of rubbish photos. There will be another photo of the head in the next rod and rifle edition. I didn't take that many photos due to exhaustion and I also didn't want to give the spot away in the slightest with everything so competitive these days. When you read the article you'll see why this mission was a battle. The cast antler had 7 points and about 38-39" long. I actually filmed a clip with it but I didn't do it correctly as it showed exactly where I was. Been meaning to go back and get it but haven't had the time/motivation to get it. The spot blew up on social media only a couple day's after I shot him!! Then it was cleaned out! 100% mate, solo hunting would help everyone in some way or at the very least learn something valuable about yourself. Good to see you enjoying some quality time in the hills!!
Bloody awesome mate. Legend 👍
Cheers mate, glad you enjoy it! Hope the roar treated you well!
Inspirational fella... you are on point with regards to putting yourself into uncomfortable situations and working through them... keep up the awesome mahi
Cheers bro! 100% aye gotta do the mahi to get the treats!
Someone has to bag and tag those who miscalculate, worth keeping at the back of the mind. Mum/wife/darling crying after unloading those who don't make it doesn't help, and the places the incautious end up in is often nasty, so someone else is put at risk. Looking before leaping, and knowing when to pull in the head makes sense. Getting wet because of underestimating an overnight storm is a lesson. Some storms there last days, when helicopters can't do the babysitting.
Epic missions - so sick !!!
Cheers fellas, awesome to see you young fellas truly getting after life and punching out some solid mission. Good to know there are some solid next generation adventure hunters out there! keep charging fellas!
Your video are brilliant, the way you capture the moments, animals, bird life and the mixture of scenery is awesome, and so impressed with your outlook on life, great advice.
Thanks for the feedback Peter! I put a lot of thought into the structure of each film and stoked you enjoyed the film. Hard to beat time in the Southern Alps! All the best mate!
Hey mate thanks for a great video you show excellent camera skills great animals in magnificent country Your life advice is spot on It’s adversity and hardship which shape you into a person of substance and make those hard won trophies so meaningful in our superficial throwaway world 😮
Thanks for the feedback mate, we are so lucky in NZ to such amazing backcountry and game animals only a stones throw from home. Yeah agree, the journey is far more important than the destination. Just yesterday I shot a ripper 38" long, heavy timber, old, super even 12 pointer public land stag. Funny how life goes as hunter. From massive miles and consecutive storms to a 2 day trip that produces a ripper stag, gotta love life in the hills! Hope the hills are treating you well mate!
@@bendb_wildaboutnz yep the hills always treat me well ..at age 62 I’m not as fit as I used to be but can still get anywhere I want to go . We really are lucky Well done with the stag mate - that’s the great thing about hunting is that you never know it certainly resonates with me sometimes you put massive effort in for little reward Then along comes a “ too easy one “ - you earn them all in the end hot barrels mate!