Eagle 27,
your spot on with your advise. Patience, and determination are essential. Speed would be handy but not essential. I'm never fit enough when I go, but if you just keep on plodding your get there and generally see something. On my trip into that area I had to wait for 2 full days for the weather to clear to fly in. Spent a very pleasant 2 days in the pub in the town down near the river mouth. The locals were bloody great. Watched the rugby, and the netball on the telly, and listened to Slim Dusty on the jutebox. (I thought I was pissed when I first heard "when the rain tumbles down in July" in a West Coast pub.)
Anyway I guess you get the picture that I had a great time. I was last in NZ last May. Down on Stewart after Whitetail again. Got one, only a hind. But it's not all about shooting animals.

I'm heading back in Nov/Dec with my 17 year old son for his first adventure into the NZ bush. Planing on doing a few days on the Stewart Island west coast and east coast, then a few days on the eastern side of the Southern Alps (I'll get him used to the east coast before scaring him with the West Coast) and then maybe a trip in somewhere around Hamner Springs after a Chamois.
Catch you later
Rod

My last Whitetail, May last year.

My last West Coast Chamois. Not too far from Grey Mouth. About 4 years ago.?

The son, Monty, with a Qld pig shot a few months ago.