Thread: Cell coverage in the Kaimais

Hello!

I'm going hunting om the Kaimais, but I don't know, if I can use my cell phone as GPS there? Or do I have to buy a GPS for the purpose? I have Vodafone if that's of any importance.

Best,

Coverage is patchy.

Download the nz topo50s map then it doesn't matter if there is reception, just turn on the location feature on the phone and it should show up on the map

As stated, if you have topo maps downloaded on your phone you can use them offline. GPS on your phone works without coverage. Personally I use the ViewRanger App and find it good.
If you’re thinking from a safety point of view, I get cell reception along the Western side of the Kaimais from SH29 to Wairere Falls, although you generally have to be close to the edge. In the Northern part, typically as long as you are on a ridge or near to the top of one you’ll have coverage.

Should also have added make sure you take a compass if the phone is your only navigation....

Thanks for your good advice. I'm thinking of going hunting along the Thompsons track. Would you say that it's easy to follow the track to the Motutapere Hut or do I need the route on a map/app to find it?

Originally Posted by npnielsen

Thanks for your good advice. I'm thinking of going hunting along the Thompsons track. Would you say that it's easy to follow the track to the Motutapere Hut or do I need the route on a map/app to find it?

Not 100% sure it's legal to hunt off tracks on doc managed land (sure we all do it) but just be aware the tracks are used by others and you will need a safe background I.e. Don't fire along the track

Hey man, It sounds like you are pretty inexperienced in both hunting and/or navigation. Kaimais are thick and confusing at the best of times, and many a more experienced navigator than yourself has become geographically embarrassed in that bush.

If you want to have an enjoyable hunt in new country, and not have to worry about getting lost, a gps or gps app on your phone is pretty much a must. ALWAYS take a map and compass as well.

Pay the $10 or whatever for the phone app. Seriously, you'll thank me after a couple of hours in the bush there

Have fun, be safe and hunt hard

500m from track isn't it? Poor bloke in the Ruahines copped one while on the track, not very good practise imo.

Originally Posted by Gibo

500m from track isn't it? Poor bloke in the Ruahines copped one while on the track, not very good practise imo.

500m seems to ring a bell to me... Plenty of other places in new Zealand you can hunt where there won't be trampers and he animals won't be as disturbed

Originally Posted by Gibo

500m from track isn't it? Poor bloke in the Ruahines copped one while on the track, not very good practise imo.

500m on the great walks tracks, crappy standard tracks it is free range and that's why he died as well as failure to clearly identify target

Originally Posted by Paddy79

500m on the great walks tracks, crappy standard tracks it is free range and that's why he died as well as failure to clearly identify target

No, it's not free range on standard tracks.
No hunting in the vicinity of tracks is the actual wording on the permit if I recall correctly, and 500m from great walks.
I have no idea what the legal definition of "vicinity" is!

Originally Posted by Cigar

.
I have no idea what the legal definition of "vicinity" is!

its vague so you have no "legal out" should you make the ultimate error .......lets face it the effective range of centrefire rifles is alot more than 2 or 3 hundred yards....(bullet travel distance not neccessarily an aimed shot at a mis-identified target)

As said:
Excellent phone reception on the west because you have line of sight to call towers and can be patchy on the east because some valleys dont have line of sight.
Gps on phone doesn't require cell coverage.just satellites and reception is excellent unless you're deep in a ravine.
Several apps allow download of topo maps at home on wifi I use topo50 and you get all north island for about $10 I think.
If you've got cell reception you can use Google or apple maps with satellite layer to see the vegetation and find slips clearings huts but can be confusing to understand ridges and valleys etc.
Paper map with a compass is good. You can download them from doc or linz and print out the section of interest if you've got time.

That part of the kaimais is steep enough navigation is straightforward. Flat areas round wairere falls etc are diabolical but round motutapere you will be fine.

Thomson's track is a poxy mud hole and I think people go there by 4wd and trail bikes so depressing to traverse on foot from either west or east.
Look at the tuahu track and come to motutapere hut from the north. It's an interesting piece of ridge. Dont try to walk straight up over sentinel rock.

Read your doc permit for details of the "no hunting near tracks" rules. They are there to keep people safe on roads like thompsons track and popular tracks. To be honest a large part of the land in the kaimais is within 400m of some track. Review your rules 3,4 and 5 of firearm safety.and use common sense as well. Specially dont annoy endanger or frighten anyone; be a nice guy friendly polite to all you meet hunter tramper or biker.

500 Metres give me a Tui