Thread: Looking to get into Small game hunting in the surrounding Chch area

Wanting to get into hunting as a whole however with my current firearm calibres (357, 22, 17hmr and 12ga) I'm restricted to small game. Live in chch and was wondering what my options are for small game like rabbits and possums. Don't know anyone with enough land far enough out that neighbors aren't an issue. Just looking to get pointed in the right direction.

Many thanks,
Lachie

You can absolutely hunt deer with a 357. You could look at getting a permit to hunt in Peel forest and try honing your stalking skills. Or have a look at the DOC maps for anywhere closer by that would suit.

Pigs too. Easier to get closer to them even in more open country so long as you mind the wind.

Yeah I've heard that before but looking to plink more so than go for a singular animal. Are there any areas surrounding chch where people struggle with pest control and are looking for people? Cats, rabbits, possums, anything under sun really.
Appreciate the response.

As a local to chch, its pretty tough to get a spot to plink and shoot small game. Its the sort of thing you need to keep on your radar as it will need to be private land and every man and his dog wants to pop a few rabbits.

Over the past few years ive had a few spots, both were small sections and when you concider ricochets with rimfires and other similar risks. The cons out weighed the pros.

I am able to shoot on a farm but its 2.5hrs drive away and that becomes a whole day affair.

It's probably a similar case across nz.

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Originally Posted by HindmarshLM07

Yeah I've heard that before but looking to plink more so than go for a singular animal. Are there any areas surrounding chch where people struggle with pest control and are looking for people? Cats, rabbits, possums, anything under sun really.
Appreciate the response.

If you do find a place to do your plinking/pest control be cautious how you broach the subject. I almost mentioned cats as a target species to 1 land owner when she told me how much she loves them. This is more likely to happen on lifestyle blocks where people still think of them as pets.

It seems doc land will be my best bet. Are there any areas that are better or worse for small game in canterbury?

Originally Posted by HindmarshLM07

It seems doc land will be my best bet. Are there any areas that are better or worse for small game in canterbury?

You'll have to talk to doc about obtaining a small game permit.

Identify an area which is with easy driving distance and do a letterbox drop of about 50 properties offering to shot pest animals for FREE! (Or at rare per head). Out of 50 you might get one, maybe 2. Then, once you start shooting that property, and build a reputation for being SAFE! Trustworthy and accurate, do a second mail drop to the ten houses either side saying, "Hi, I've been shooting on #222 for three months and have noticed a few rabbits on your front paddock, would you like me to shoot those for you?" This is how I started my business. I've now shot on over 130 properties.... But then I'm a really nice guy!?

I'm always surprised at how many lifestyle block owners don't have a firearms license or a rifle???? And sometimes, even when they do, they don't like letting the blood out!???

I'm an North Islander and around CHCH I have only every hunted in the Oxford Recreational Area, what's that like these days? I do remember a lot of farmland around Oxford.....Probably a suburb now?

Heading north on SHW1, cross the Waimakarara River bridge and take the first left. My brother used to live up there on a lifestyle block and there were HEAPS of rabbits.

At some stage you will need to get off your computer, get in your car and go and knock on some doors. Do the hard Mahi and you will get the results. It won't just fall into your lap.

Lastly, and I HATE this one, but I do get results...... find Facebook Groups in the areas where you want to hunt, join, search for someone saying, " We have a rabbit problem, does anyone know a reliable shooter?" And you can promote yourself as being that shooter..

Agree with everything Hugh has said above, I lived in the Wairarapa for years before I got an opening locally to shoot rabbits, but once it started, it was like and avalanche. Two things I do that I think makes all the difference. First, make it not about shooting rabbits, make it about controlling them. When I get access to a property, I start off going a few times a week and really hammering the rabbits, if you can reduce numbers dramatically, you will be the owners new best friend and word will spread around town. Second, I shoot on lifestyle blocks and orchids, I could easily get onto farms but there aren't many that are two minutes up the road from me. I always do a daytime visit first, and a walk around with the owner, this is good practice in it's own right but it will also help you appear more responsible, during the walk around, get the names of the neighbours, and go and knock on their doors. I go along the lines of
"Hi I will be conducting some rabbit control on your neighbours property starting in the next few days. Just checking if you would like a courtesy call/text beforehand"
I have only had one negative response from a lady who had horses and she said people who hunted next door used guns that were too loud, she calmed down when I said I only use suppressed firearms and that I had a caveat with the owner that if I was controlling the rabbits, no one else was to come on the property and make them gun shy.
This is not just good practice, it is crucial safety, but it is also very good advertising. When you shoot lifestyle blocks, the best properties to shoot on, are when you have several adjoining properties, and this is they way by which I get most access.

The main drawback with lifestyle blocks is that you do have to be very careful, if I am using a .22, I normally have to let 4 out of 5 rabbits go because the angles aren't safe, I use a suppressed .410 to get around this. Often, shooting after dark has advantages too.

But being prepared to live with the drawbacks, I have ended up being spoilt for choice, I have more shooting than I have time for, and the odd token of appreciation comes my way too.

Along with what Hugh says, it really is about getting your foot in the door, then establishing a beach head.