Thread: Beginner Hunter - need advice

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

I agree, do you have rabbits over there? Possums, wallabies. When you have some experience tackle deer then I in 2-3 years.

Have known a few that were just starting and went straight for Sambar. No experience no knowledge. Needless to say they didn't last long.

sorry Oldbbloke but I just dont agree with this as Churbay rightly says bush navigation is one of the most important skills to learn for bush hunting - ya not going to learn that wandering around farms shooting bunnys - one needs real bush time to gain confidence - or did you think deer would be in same area - no only on farms - completely different hunting our bush and shooting bunnys wallabys - the trick is to start small - learn the country from a topo map - which way the ridges and creeks lie - hunt one catchment alone untill you get condident - you must know where you are within the catchment - from a high point or the valley bottom watch for a north facing area with slips open areas and carefully stalk it early morning or late evening - learn your nz natives and what species deer like - in Waioeka Te Urewera one looks for Mahoe faces five finger pate fushia any grassy clearings open areas ( mean sun = feed ) yes deer will feed under say a tawa canopy but they will be constantly moving looking for mainly windfall leaves or new growth - bush hunting takes time to learn - the single biggest mistakes new hunters make is to hunt wrong area at wrong time ( a creek bed midday is not likely to produce a deer )or see a lot of sign and just keep going - when was that deer there and is it still there - when hunting in eighties deer were scarce one did not go past good sign one targeted that area

Wow! That got me thinking as to how I got started and how I would train a newbie?
Contacting this Group was your first good move and I see you have gotten a lot of really great advice.
I'm going to add Small Bore Indoor Shooting Club. It teaches good safety and Firearms etiquette. Breathing, trigger pull, accuracy etc.
Small game hunting a definite must.
NZDA, Firearms safety, long range shooting in multiple positions. Also sometimes running boar. Hunting knowledge and trips.
My father used to say, "You can learn about anything from a good book!" I see @Rn-85 has already mentioned Roger Lentle, so here's a photo of a couple of good books.
As with all things these days, YouTube is your friend for gun cleaning and maintenance, there are heaps of excellent knife sharpening videos, and whole animal butchering.
I'll end with a quote from Lex Severenson, "You'll learn no ills from the hills!"

6

Also I'm not sure if you are a new shooter but having a tikka means every gunsmith and gunship owner knows your gun inside and out and can problem solve most issues.

Also, having a forum like this means you can debunk the YouTube image of head shooting stags at 800. The reality of filling the freezer with hinds shot at 100m is achievable. In light of that you don't need some high end optic and binos. Mid range will get you started and sort you for a while.

For me, I've set myself up with vortex gear and I didn't need to remortgage the house.

The fashion show/pissing contest is the exception not the rule.




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Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

sorry Oldbbloke but I just dont agree with this as Churbay rightly says bush navigation is one of the most important skills to learn for bush hunting - ya not going to learn that wandering around farms shooting bunnys - one needs real bush time to gain confidence - or did you think deer would be in same area - no only on farms - completely different hunting our bush and shooting bunnys wallabys - the trick is to start small - learn the country from a topo map - which way the ridges and creeks lie - hunt one catchment alone untill you get condident - you must know where you are within the catchment - from a high point or the valley bottom watch for a north facing area with slips open areas and carefully stalk it early morning or late evening - learn your nz natives and what species deer like - in Waioeka Te Urewera one looks for Mahoe faces five finger pate fushia any grassy clearings open areas ( mean sun = feed ) yes deer will feed under say a tawa canopy but they will be constantly moving looking for mainly windfall leaves or new growth - bush hunting takes time to learn - the single biggest mistakes new hunters make is to hunt wrong area at wrong time ( a creek bed midday is not likely to produce a deer )or see a lot of sign and just keep going - when was that deer there and is it still there - when hunting in eighties deer were scarce one did not go past good sign one targeted that area

This is great information thanks so much. Starting from absolute scratch is daunting for sure. I like the idea of starting small and getting to know small areas really well using topo maps etc. thanks a lot!

Thanks so much this is great I will seek out some of those books for sure!

Look in the library most of those books can be found there they are up here.

Talk to yr local doc guys,they will gladly point you in the right direction and give advice.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

sorry Oldbbloke but I just dont agree with this as Churbay rightly says bush navigation is one of the most important skills to learn for bush hunting - ya not going to learn that wandering around farms shooting bunnys - one needs real bush time to gain confidence - or did you think deer would be in same area - no only on farms - completely different hunting our bush and shooting bunnys wallabys - the trick is to start small - learn the country from a topo map - which way the ridges and creeks lie - hunt one catchment alone untill you get condident - you must know where you are within the catchment - from a high point or the valley bottom watch for a north facing area with slips open areas and carefully stalk it early morning or late evening - learn your nz natives and what species deer like - in Waioeka Te Urewera one looks for Mahoe faces five finger pate fushia any grassy clearings open areas ( mean sun = feed ) yes deer will feed under say a tawa canopy but they will be constantly moving looking for mainly windfall leaves or new growth - bush hunting takes time to learn - the single biggest mistakes new hunters make is to hunt wrong area at wrong time ( a creek bed midday is not likely to produce a deer )or see a lot of sign and just keep going - when was that deer there and is it still there - when hunting in eighties deer were scarce one did not go past good sign one targeted that area

@Barry the hunter

I guess I wasn't very clear. My intent was to suggest he try easier game first. Perhaps pigs or as someone suggested goats. Then work up to deer after he gets a bit of experience.

all good I think he may struggle to find goats where he is - maybe better just try for deer

Originally Posted by Shippo

Kia Ora team,

I’m 36 years old and have never been hunting in my life but have just gotten my firearms licence and purchased a Tikka T3x so I’m keen to get out there and learn as much as possible and eventually fill the freezer. I’m in the Katikati region and just wondering if there’s any recommendations in terms of where I should start exploring? Any tracks or areas where as a beginner I should start my hunting journey.

Thanks a lot!

Hi Shippo,you brought a tikka,what caliba?

Range days
Make sure it's zeroed
Then bush days
Only so much u can learn from advice
Time in bush trumps everything(after I did basics ' how to safely fire a rifle consistently)
Enjoy m8 u still have at least 40 yrs of huntng looking at some of my old m8s

Originally Posted by Trout

Hi Shippo,you brought a tikka,what caliba?

Hey Trout!

Got the tikka T3x Lite in a .308 - was thinking about getting a 7mm-08 but after a chat to the guys at Hunting and fishing decided on the .308 to try and get more stopping power. Want to try and avoid putting any animals through any unnecessary pain.

The best advice I can give is get off the tracks and roads.
The extra light allows the scrub etc grow on the edge of the roads etc and it looks a bit daunting.
Push in 20 metres or so through the shite you will find the bush magically opens up and then sidle into the wind.
Keep it simple navigation wise check the way your road/track runs, head in south for example then you sidle east or west.
Then back to road/track going north.
Take your time real slow and you will have fun the bush is your friend.