Thread: Hand held thermal now legal on public land

FFS

People who shoot at unidentified heat signatures are also probably members of the groups that shoot at sound, movement or unidentified targets in general. They’re out there, just look at the numbers that get shot while wearing blaze clothing, a subject that gets a regular airing.

This was always a difficult one for Doc to enforce. When was the last time you've been stopped for a hunting permit check on Public Land? I was the other day for the first time. Didn't ask if I had a thermal (which I don't). Best be honing your bush hunting skills, and keeping your head low (in the hut or tent) at night.

Now they should revisit the rimfire rules... There's one spot I would love to pop off bunnies and hares (absolutely everywhere) but haven't been able to get a small game permit there.

Originally Posted by BushChook

Now they should revisit the rimfire rules... There's one spot I would love to pop off bunnies and hares (absolutely everywhere) but haven't been able to get a small game permit there.

Mt Cook

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Originally Posted by kukuwai

Mt Cook

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They are that tame you only need a air rifle.

Originally Posted by Trout

They are that tame you only need a air rifle.

Semi auto is fun and effective on bunnies

Originally Posted by BushChook

Now they should revisit the rimfire rules... There's one spot I would love to pop off bunnies and hares (absolutely everywhere) but haven't been able to get a small game permit there.

.223 with cheap ammo? Or just get really handy at using a DOC approved bow

Originally Posted by Juicy

.223 with cheap ammo? Or just get really handy at using a DOC approved bow

Still aiming that .223 at small game, is that allowed?
Smallest calibre I have in centre fire is .270 anyway and ammo for that isn't cheap.

Originally Posted by BushChook

Still aiming that .223 at small game, is that allowed?
Smallest calibre I have in centre fire is .270 anyway and ammo for that isn't cheap.

Pretty sure there is nothing wrong with shooting small game as long as you are shooting in daylight hours with an approved calibre (such as .223) in an area thats away from tracks and huts, where you aren’t going to scare other outdoor users etc

Originally Posted by Juicy

Pretty sure there is nothing wrong with shooting small game as long as you are shooting in daylight hours with an approved calibre (such as .223) in an area thats away from tracks and huts, where you aren’t going to scare other outdoor users etc

Re: Hunting rules and DOC, to my mind they only care about human safety and protecting native birds which is why they have their rules. If you want to shoot rabbits with a .270, I'm sure they couldn't care less. The Small Game Hunting Permit is about using small calibre rifles and shotguns.

Also small game permit allows hunting in areas otherwise restricted.,so 22lr ok but big scarey 270 not so much lol

Just tried to show a comparison, phone pic and thermal pic taken from same place. Cows are in background of thermal shot

Thermals can be handy in other ways than directly hunting.

People in camo can be hard to see, and thermals can help check for people e.g. in bush on the other side of a river valley.

Mine has been useful for finding where we are missing insulation in our ceiling. Also really helpful on the weekend when I used it in DOC land to retrieve a goat which rolled down the hill into some brush but still gave off a good heat signature.