Thread: Wallaby hunting and PLB use

Hi guys. Im looking for somewhere to regularly get down to the Waimate area for some Wallaby hunting. Day time hunting, mid to long range, open country, walking, 4x4 and could bring the Kubota RTV also for bigger country. I have family in the village at Waimate or could camp etc so plenty of options there.
Would like to make contact with a hunter or farmer down there that can help.
Im a farmer / builder on Banks Peninsula myself.

I got pretty badly beaten up in a big fall hunting in South Westland last month and Im working on the rehab to try and get out hunting again in about a months time hopefully.
Just thought I should try to arrange a hunt somewhere a little easier ( wallabies ) to have a goal to work towards !!
Also got given a new DPMS Ar 15 by a nephew and have it reasonably well sorted now so it would be good to get it out in the field.
The 223 will be as big as I can handle for a while as both shoulders are damaged ( among a long list ).

For those of you who have have PLBs ( hopefully most ). I used to think one per party was fine. But now realize that it might be better that everyone has their own ! or at least 2 per party !!
I had the beacon in my pack, I took the fall, my pack was destroyed and the bag with the beacon in it was 50m away from where I ended up.
My hunting companion had to climb down to find it and set it off at considerable risk to himself.
If he had had one also it would have been much safer !
I will now carry it on my body when in serious alpine areas and not on my belt as that's the most likely place for it to be damaged in a big fall.
A lot of my gear was damaged or destroyed but my Blaser K95 took most of the fall with me ( 100m total ) and only the front sight, illumina scope covers and sling were wrecked !! Brand new Swarovski ATX 65 will be winging its way back to Austria soon ( more insurance hassles ) for factory repairs.


Strop rescue by Mt Cook SAR team.


Coming in to the ridge with Dan on the strop with me


On the ridge with Dan. I fell from just below this location and ended up by the small knob just in view by Dan's left shoulder. Its steeper than it looks because the GOPRO used has a wide angle lens


Into the Squirrel and down to Franz Josef to transfer to West Coast rescue helicopter.
Then off to Grey Base hospital for a few days.

Shit, lucky to be alive good to see it hasn't put you off. Been south wallabying a couple of times cool fun, but the terrain can be as steep as the alps so pick your spot. Got a plb as a xmas pressie from the family. Goes round my neck on a lanyard along with a radio when I go out now.

Sorry to hear about that mate, I am sure you know just how lucky you were.
I am always nagging people to keep their PLB on them and not in the pack for the exact reason demonstrated in your story. I guess if you had been alone, it would have ended differently.
Thanks for sharing, and good on you for jumping back in the saddle

Glad you are getting through it. I'll be wearing my PLB on my belt I think.

Good luck with both your recovery and your search for a place to hunt

I got a couple of places you could come with me(but after rugby season over get no time in winter with my league and daughters rugby)

After reading this I can only cringe and ponder on the past. Big time cullers, young and bullet proof and no fear what so ever of heights.
No PLB's back in those days let alone the fancy gear of today, yet many got through without severe injury, bloody lucky.
Looking back on the Tahr blocks gives me the geebies now,shit we were so vulnerable yet we didn,t give a toss and many hunted alone,crazy.
You are a lucky man akaroa1,had you been on your own without a PLB,well.
Quick recovery eh.

Shit that sucks, hope you recover quickly, I think I might have to invest in a plb.

We used a plb on our roar trip wouldn't leave the car without one.
All the best with your recovery.


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Bugger. I just ordered a wee pouch to keep my plb on my belt a few days ago. You are a lucky lucky man. I've had a good fall, five hours or so up a valley, no plb. Only a small pool of water saved me from heading over a waterfall onto rocks below.
Bloody front sight on my k95 came off too. Superglued the bastard in.

Your photos are a great advertisement and reminder to all of us to buy and keep a plb on your person.

I got a wee pouch for my PLB from twinneedle. Lives on my belt all the time. Don't even take it off when going for a dump - never know when a wasps nest could ruin your day.

PM sent on a spot that suits you.

I've been going for wallabies semi often now that I'm near by, would be happy to show you where I go but it's not like walking on the farm, there is still a bit of hill climbing involved, but pm me if you are still keen