Thread: Advice for first big Hunting trip

Hey fellas,Ive come to pester you all again with my questions. My flatmate and I have decided to go on our first big hunt probably 2-3 nights out in the Ruahines. Im not here to ask for spot xs, but more to ask you guys what type of gear im going to need before setting out,as Ive never been there I dont know what to expect. So im getting a little list together for some gear. I would like to know your guys thoughts on different gear I should look at getting!. Thanks again team!

What ever you end up taking, you will only need about half of it if my experience is anything to go by, first multi day hunt I went on carried so much gear I would've been stuffed if I'd shot anything
Think long and hard especially about how much clothing you really need

For your first trip I recommend you stay at a hut. Rangi or Kelly Knight would be good starters. If you tent, remember that the weather can turn bad very quickly on the tops. Once you have chosen an area PM me and I will give you some hunting advice. I know most of the central Ruahines pretty well.

Originally Posted by dannyb

What ever you end up taking, you will only need about half of it if my experience is anything to go by, first multi day hunt I went on carried so much gear I would've been stuffed if I'd shot anything
Think long and hard especially about how much clothing you really need

How much clothing do you recommend taking? Like maybe twos sets of clothes? including the one you wear up?

Got good boots?

Originally Posted by Tahr

For your first trip I recommend you stay at a hut. Rangi or Kelly Knight would be good starters. If you tent, remember that the weather can turn bad very quickly on the tops. Once you have chosen an area PM me and I will give you some hunting advice. I know most of the central Ruahines pretty well.

Thanks mate! That means alot bro cheers. We definitely be staying in a hut if we can help it. Cheers

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

Got good boots?

My boots are okay I guess bro, nothing special. Should I look at getting a different pair?

Originally Posted by Been Upto

My boots are okay I guess bro, nothing special. Should I look at getting a different pair?

What do you have at the moment?

Can you walk all day in them without getting blisters, and do they keep water out? ( The exception is crossing creeks and stuff like that. Your boots are gonna get soaked unless you can levitate.)

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

What do you have at the moment?

Can you walk all day in them without getting blisters, and do they keep water out? ( The exception is crossing creeks and stuff like that. Your boots are gonna get soaked unless you can levitate.)

I have some lowa z6 but tbh they arent that great. They are waterproof, but still get sore feet wearing them. They were my first boots I bought. Should of got the tibets haha

Originally Posted by Been Upto

I have some lowa z6 but tbh they arent that great. They are waterproof, but still get sore feet wearing them. They were my first boots I bought. Should of got the tibets haha

Some boots you can beat into a comfy shape for your feet by walking in them for awhile. Some never take the hint and change.

You'll have to make the decision ultimately, boots are a pretty individual thing.

Thing is, if your feet are too sore by the end of day one, you're hobbling for the w/end. If you find the right sox to wear with them it can sometimes help.

Do you plan on staying in huts or fly camping?

The basics for a couple of nights would be:

Pack with water proof liner (or rubbish bag)
Sleeping bag + mat
Cooker and gas with lighter spare matches
Billy knife, fork, spoon
Base layers ie thermals
Mid layer fleece top, pants optional
Beanie, gloves
Water proof jacket
Spare pair of socks
Ammo 12 rounds should be plenty with a bit of fudge factor.
Knife
Binos + rangefinder
Torch
Something to chuck your meat into
Gps, compass, map
Water bottle or bottles
Basic first aid kit

Food is entirely up to you, I usually have porridge for breakfast and a coffee. Museli bars as snacks noodles for lunch or maybe more snacks and freeze dry meals for dinner.

If fly camping you can get away with a fly for spring and summer but the weather can still turn quick up top.

This is by no means a complete and exhaustive list but it's the basics that you'll need and Is what I take.

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

Some boots you can beat into a comfy shape for your feet by walking in them for awhile. Some never take the hint and change.

You'll have to make the decision ultimately, boots are a pretty individual thing.

Thing is, if your feet are too sore by the end of day one, you're hobbling for the w/end. If you find the right sox to wear with them it can sometimes help.

I will have to try some different ones in the future. Cheers for your advice once again max

Originally Posted by mawzer308

Do you plan on staying in huts or fly camping?

The basics for a couple of nights would be:

Pack with water proof liner (or rubbish bag)
Sleeping bag + mat
Cooker and gas with lighter spare matches
Billy knife, fork, spoon
Base layers ie thermals
Mid layer fleece top, pants optional
Water proof jacket
Spare pair of socks
Ammo 12 rounds should be plenty with a bit of fudge factor.
Knife
Binos + rangefinder
Something to chuck your meat into
Gps, compass, map
Water bottle or bottles

Food is entirely up to you, I usually have porridge for breakfast and a coffee. Museli bars as snacks noodles for lunch or maybe more snacks and freeze dry meals for dinner.

If fly camping you can get away with a fly for spring and summer but the weather can still turn quick up top.

This is by no means a complete and exhaustive list but it's the basics that you'll need and Is what I take.

This is solid advice brother. Thanks this is a good list to base off of. Cheers bro

To @mawzer308's good list, I also suggest:

Think about buying/hiring a Personal Locator Beacon,

Check with @Tahr about cellphone reception where you're going, in case you end up in the sh*t.
(Or you meet somebody else who is- the phrase "the missing tourists were found by hunters" seems to crop up more and more often it seems to me. )

I think staying in a hut is good advice for a first trip
It often means starting earlier to get to good ground and getting into your sleeping bag later , but it eliminates alot of gear and weight that is essential if your camping out .
When the rain is clattering on the corrugated iron roof , and your warm in your bunk with a fire going while your wet clothes dry out you will feel sorry for the poor buggers under some thin nylon

Ken