A few pieces of advice sought- Famous last words I know

Kia ora koutou-

As per the title, I know that this is going to open up multiple cans of worms, but in the course of doing some research and planning for some hunts I had a few questions pop up that I thought I'd turn it into a post. Apologies also for the long post. For context- in case it isn't clear from this or my prior posts, I am very new to hunting but also eager to get out there and just learn by doing, and operating out of Christchurch. I will also add that I don't have the latest, greatest or flash-est gear due to budget constraints.

1. Scopes
I know that this is a topic which often comes up, but I have been wondering about the need for higher power scopes. I am currently running a burris droptine 3-9x on my rifle (6.5 creedmoor, and yes I know the comments this is likely to bring up, it was a really good deal and one which I took to get myself set up). With this in mind, am I underpowered scope wise? Being SI, there are plenty of tops hunting options which will potentially stretch out the shots more so than bush hunting. I won't discount bush hunting but I know that is another skill in and of itself.

2. Roar hunting
I am in the process of planning some hunting for the roar, with Plan A, B and C options. Given my green-ness in hunting, and that it is the busiest time of year, am I best to hold off while everyone goes out there and just wait until the mad rush is over?

3. Hunting area frequency
Related to the above, how often is too hunting for a block? I am taking the approach that I am best to get to know one area before moving to another, but should I be introducing a bit more variety to the area I am hunting? I am planning to go for a hunt soon (next couple of weeks) but also early April- is this too often for the same area? The area in particular is the same one as I previously posted in the magazine section where there appears to be really decent numbers so keen to really get to know it more.

As an aside, keen to join people on any trips to help me learn, and yes, I have joined the local NZDA and will be engaging through that means to get some advice and find some more hunting mates.

Thanks in advance for any advice, apologies again for the long post and also if much of this has been covered multiple times in other posts.

Ill start with your scope question as long as that scope you have holds zero, that means after you have sighted it in its still shooting in the same place the next time you use it, it will be perfectly ok. Deer dont give 2 shits about the latest fashion gear if your in the right place at the right time thats what counts.

scope snobbery is a thing . Try not to fall into the trap.

A swarovski Z5 should be all you need for South Island hunting with your 6.5 creedmoor

scope if the one you have holds zero use it as others have said scope snobbery is real - roar hunting just get out there we can all imagine a worse case scenario just do it - be safe wear some hi viz - frequency - remember each time it rains your smell will go - yes you can overdo hunting an area but I would suggest that is like the areas we hunt in the Naki - small area on the back of farms say only 100 acres often with low deer numbers ( varies a lot ) - but big south Island Country nah cant see a number of visits to get to know it being a problem at all

If you have young eyes a 3-9 maybe all you need as I've got older I love more magnification a z5 3.5-18 is a near perfect scope or a Burris HD 3-15

Sent from my CPH2531 using Tapatalk

Scopes ah what a subject. 3-9 is a good average mag range that also has a good field of view. 3-12 a bit better mag wise but looses fov. Extra magnification, CDs dials etc won't make you shoot better but you may see better. A BDC or mil dot reticle is a good alternative to a dialing setup like CDs and capped turrets are generally lower profile.

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Originally Posted by Te_Tianara

Kia ora koutou-

As per the title, I know that this is going to open up multiple cans of worms, but in the course of doing some research and planning for some hunts I had a few questions pop up that I thought I'd turn it into a post. Apologies also for the long post. For context- in case it isn't clear from this or my prior posts, I am very new to hunting but also eager to get out there and just learn by doing, and operating out of Christchurch. I will also add that I don't have the latest, greatest or flash-est gear due to budget constraints.

1. Scopes
I know that this is a topic which often comes up, but I have been wondering about the need for higher power scopes. I am currently running a burris droptine 3-9x on my rifle (6.5 creedmoor, and yes I know the comments this is likely to bring up, it was a really good deal and one which I took to get myself set up). With this in mind, am I underpowered scope wise? Being SI, there are plenty of tops hunting options which will potentially stretch out the shots more so than bush hunting. I won't discount bush hunting but I know that is another skill in and of itself.

2. Roar hunting
I am in the process of planning some hunting for the roar, with Plan A, B and C options. Given my green-ness in hunting, and that it is the busiest time of year, am I best to hold off while everyone goes out there and just wait until the mad rush is over?

3. Hunting area frequency
Related to the above, how often is too hunting for a block? I am taking the approach that I am best to get to know one area before moving to another, but should I be introducing a bit more variety to the area I am hunting? I am planning to go for a hunt soon (next couple of weeks) but also early April- is this too often for the same area? The area in particular is the same one as I previously posted in the magazine section where there appears to be really decent numbers so keen to really get to know it more.

As an aside, keen to join people on any trips to help me learn, and yes, I have joined the local NZDA and will be engaging through that means to get some advice and find some more hunting mates.

Thanks in advance for any advice, apologies again for the long post and also if much of this has been covered multiple times in other posts.

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What you have is more than adequate.
Make sure you know your gear and system well and get closer if you need to.
More dollars on gear to shoot from further away can be an answer for those that choose it but remember there’s another option.

Cheers everyone for the replies so far- as for the scope snobbery, I’m well aware that this is a real phenomenon, having seen many a post on here. Just asked out of interest, as I have been contemplating stretching mag range to 12 or 15 (likely sticking with Burris) on the higher end but keeping 3 power on bottom end. For now I’m sure I can make do with the 3-9x, as I agree, more mag doesn’t necessarily make you a better shooter, but it always helps to see what you’re aiming at. Happy with the zero holding ability, have taken it back to the range recently after resetting the turrets to confirm.

How's this, I've shot deer goats and pigs using a nikko stirling scope. They still fell over

Scope: Wouldn't get too worried about it unless you are regularly coming across realistically recoverable animals that your current scope is preventing you from taking. I bought a fancy new scope a couple of years ago and to be honest, if I wasn't too miserly to use the ammo required to sight it in, I'd probably swap my old Bushnell Elite back onto my gun. As it is, the new scope is sighted in OK, so I probably won't bother.

Roar hunting: Without an exclusive bush block, I wouldn't go hunting open land. Bush is tight down here, and plenty of hunters. If it was tops hunting - I'd give a public block a nudge and be really careful.

Hunting a block repeatedly: Yeah, go for it. If your only goal is to get an animal, you might want to mix it up a bit if you somehow have no commitments other than hunting, but if you're the typical kiwi who needs to work, your hunts are likely to be far enough apart that I'd keep going back and learn an area really well so you can be confident that when you do go there you'll do a reasonable job of hunting the area.

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Originally Posted by blip

How's this, I've shot deer goats and pigs using a nikko stirling scope. They still fell over

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Likewise they fell over when I was using a fixed 2.75 (2&3/4) power Bushnell, must have used it for 15+ years before I went to a 3-9 power.

I don’t doubt it. Plenty of scope brands out there, and absolutely the animals don’t care what gear a hunter is using. My reference to being underpowered was simply in relation to magnification. Who am I to judge what brands people decide to use, especially given my inexperience!

Given that you are new to hunting, keep your scope and use the money that you didn't spend on more hunting trips.
There is no substitute for time on the hill and I would hesitate to say any time is to soon to return to a block, maybe wait for some rain to clear out any scent

Your scope is fine, millions of deer in NZ, have been shot with 3-4 power scopes, I prefer a scope, that has low end 2-3 powder for bush use, 7-10 is plenty of top end, out to sensible hunting ranges, 300-400m.
Just sold my Barrett fieldcraft, to a Mate 6.5 creed, we both shot a 2.5"-3" 3 shot group at 300m, with a 2-7 power Leopold, rimfire scope, only 18" barrel, he shoots left handed, I shoot right, Plenty good enough.
I avoid hunting over easter weekend, especially areas that are drive in, too many once a year warriors, fueled up on booze and hope, If heading out, fly camp away for the crowds, and be a bit careful.
No need to spell and area, deer still got to eat, and bed down some place, they will still be there, bit more cautious, get the wind right, and hunt slow, if you see a lot of fresh sign,

Question 1.

Your scope is fine. You dont say what distance you are wishing too shoot too, but I use similar magnification on all my rifles and shoot out too 400 meters. It's capable of more but that's a good distance.

later on you might choose to upgrade for better clarity and quality in other areas, but Ive had a Burris on one rifle for years and its worked fine.

question 2.

Unless you dont wish to be in the hills with everyone else, which is understandable, just go for it. You have to be out there to have a chance and won't see anything from home.

Question 3.

I rotate through my hunting areas about once every two weeks. But even then depending on the area Ill divide it up and hunt different parts of same spot more often than that. IE, upstream one week, downstream next week.
If it's got good numbers then it won't hurt. Trickj is not to fire heaps of shots at once.

1. Scope
I used a 3-9 for the last three years tops hunting. Shots out to 300m no worries. What I would say is that you need to be confidently grouping sub 1moa at 100m and know your drops well. I went to a 3-15 that I can dial recently, its opened up maybe another 100m, but that's if the wind, rest, recovery, etc all line up which will stop you more often than the 3-9. I think in the three years there was maybe 1 deer I couldn't shoot cause of the scope's limit, and that was to do with there being no hashes or dial, not the zoom.
2. Easter/Roar
I've been out the last two Easters and bumped into 1-2 people. But that was 5 hours up a mountain range with no track. Places with tracks and huts must be crawling. I've started wearing high vis caps and putting a high vis strip on my pack as well.
3. Spots
If you just want a meat deer, go to the spot as much as it'll handle. If you want to explore country, challenge yourself, maybe find a trophy then you've gotta keep exploring new ground.

You'll be in the same NZDA as me, I'll flick you a dm with more info.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blip

How's this, I've shot deer goats and pigs using a nikko stirling scope. They still fell over

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Same as, Nikko Stirling 4-12x50 happy days

Cheers for all the responses team- I get the sense from everyone that current optics are all good. As I say, I’m not brand snob, and know that even the “top” brands can have issues- as evidenced by a friend’s experience with said top of the range scopes on first use in the field.
Always appreciate the advice from members here, even if it does end up in multiple rabbit holes.

Just get out there and get into it. Youll figure out along the way what suits you. I just use some pretty basic stuff, ill never win a bragging contest with it but it does what I need it to do and within my budget( which isnt much)

It all comes down to what you can afford and how ejoyable you want the experience to be and of course success rate also comes into the equation.

I was using the same scope as you which came on a Tikka package from h&f, I shot some deer but didn't really love the set up and felt I wasn't 100% confident with what I was using.

I bought a Swavo Z5 and put it on the riffle, I went to the range and practiced shooting at 100-500 meters. I could use my range finder dial the scope, bang, flop, almost too easy.

I have since bought a 223 and put the same scope on it, I have sighted it from 100 - 400 meters and using my range finder it is a killing machine.

I don't call it scope snobbery I call it enjoyable, practical and extremely successful hunting. If you can afford it and want the above then I would highly recommend however if on a budget then what you have is fine to go hunting.