Thread: First Solo Hunt Coming Up

Originally Posted by Louie

I hear that. Between the guns, guitars, woodshop and ol' 94 Hilux; the cash seems to disappear. Just waiting for a rich cougar to come my way!

I feel yah haha

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Not wanting to put you off but I went around this time last year and saw no sign on the tracks of the ngamuwahine loop track.

I usually base my initial judgement of the area on that.

You may be better off with wairere falls. Get up early to beat the tourists and if you walk towards the North South track you can't miss the clearings.

Very flat so easy to get lost but remember to slowly walk West and you'll find the North South track.

I have wondered for some time about those that hunt the top of the Wairere falls why they don't cross the stream at the base of that bloody great hill on the left and hunt their way to the top instead of climbing those 300 + steps and avoid the trampers.

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

I have wondered for some time about those that hunt the top of the Wairere falls why they don't cross the stream at the base of that bloody great hill on the left and hunt their way to the top instead of climbing those 300 + steps and avoid the trampers.

There's the ancient Maori track. That's hardly used

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

There's the ancient Maori track. That's hardly used

You can bet-your-boots Maori took the line of least resistance when making a track over the Kaimai's...surprising that is not the one followed.

I think it's best to just do your own thing (safety procedures aside), and don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself. This is the first of (hopefully) hundreds of trips.

Being your first trip, I think you'll find that you'll instinctively try and stay as close to the track as possible (you may be a bit 'bush shy' to begin with) and be over-cautious. But that's fine. That's just you adjusting to a new set of circumstances.

You'll likely not shoot anything. But that's okay. Just soak up the feeling of being immersed in nature - with nothing (or nobody) to distract you. Savour those precious moments.

I recommend you take a diary with you and record your first solo experience. You'll look back on it in years from now and smile.

Good luck mate.

Originally Posted by Louie

Cheers for all the advice fellas, there's a lot of great info here.

To sum it all up, i'm going to take @Russian 22.s advice and head up Wairere Falls way. With a compass, map and notebook as my main navigation tools. I think i'll point out this is all a learning adventure for me and i'd rather see a few deer running away than be ready to shoot in an instant. Although I'll have one in the chamber at half cock (safety on) walking as slowly, quietly and aware as I can be.

(i'll also have a phone, powerbank, headlamp and PLB for emergencies)

I looked into PLBs and was put off at the price of the buggers, but found they're readily available for rent at $15 a day almost nationwide; which is music to my skint ears.

Thanks for the help team.

$5/day from trek n travel, only helpful if your in Hamilton though


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Put your phone on Airplane Mode when you are not using it. If you leave comms switched on it will spend the whole time hunting for signal and anyone who has used a smart phone in poor signal areas knows, you can sit and watch the battery percentage drop incredibly fast. Mine will still be in the 80%s at the end of the day but if it is not in Airplane Mode it will go flat by mid afternoon. The area you are talking about in the Kaimais has very patchy signal and is a phone battery killer.

Next up you absolutely must take a PLB. Is irresponsible not to. People are pulled out of the Kaimais in trouble every year, there was one just recently.

I knocked myself unconscious in the Kaimais by slipping and falling and head-butting a tree root. I was lucky because I had a mate with me. If you break a leg in there or anything else that immobilises you while you are off the tracks, you are going to find out the hard way that being found is an extremely difficult task for the emergency folk.

Throwing my support behind a PLB as well.

They weigh practically nothing, are about as reliable as technology gets, and will absolutely be the most important thing you have with you if you end up in trouble in the bush and unable to get out.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

There's the ancient Maori track. That's hardly used

It's farking steep. Worth a wander first light this time of year though, few deer get taken of the faces there.

Originally Posted by Nick-D

It's farking steep. Worth a wander first light this time of year though, few deer get taken of the faces there.

I'll keep that in mind!

All along the Ykato side of the Kaimai's the deer are over nighting out on the farmland eating the cockies grass at this time of year.

Another vote for a PLB, not that it is needed. I take mine tramping, boating, fishing, diving (in a watertight canister), as well as hunting, so consider it good value.

Originally Posted by MB

Another vote for a PLB, not that it is needed. I take mine tramping, boating, fishing, diving (in a watertight canister), as well as hunting, so consider it good value.

I take it with me every time I do most outdoor activities. Saved my dads life and wouldn’t leave home without it. Keeps the wife happy too


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Another aspect to consider while hunting solo:

When you're hunting alone, there's nobody there to monitor or criticize your decision making. Maintaining self awareness is crucial, despite it being elusive at the best of times. When it comes to making important decisions, give it plenty of thought, and be your own harshest critic. Know yourself and take relevant precautions. I.e are you an impulsive person in general (maybe spend a bit more time making decisions). Do you have a bit of an ego (closely monitor how hard you're pushing yourself or your levels of idealism).