Thread: New to NZ, Keen on getting into hunting!

Hey all, I'm new to NZ and this forum, Just curious on how I can get started with going for shoots and hunts in the Wellington region?
I'm 20 and originally from Scotland

Thanks all!

Welcome Jock, plenty of good buggers on here will will see you right....aye lads!!!!!

Welcome to the forum.

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Thank you guys

Welcome

The best range is at Kaitoke and run by Hutt Valley Deerstalkers - they run a HUNTS course which is a good start if you aren't massively experienced.
Fee is something like $110 per year and another tenner for range key - info here
New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association (Hutt Valley Branch) Inc. - Home
I presume you've got your A cat firearms license?

What do you want to hunt? Deer/Pigs/Goats/Ducks?

Originally Posted by 308

Welcome

The best range is at Kaitoke and run by Hutt Valley Deerstalkers - they run a HUNTS course which is a good start if you aren't massively experienced.
Fee is something like $110 per year and another tenner for range key - info here
New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association (Hutt Valley Branch) Inc. - Home
I presume you've got your A cat firearms license?

What do you want to hunt? Deer/Pigs/Goats/Ducks?

Heya, Thanks for that! I'm actually in mid process of getting it, Just have to get the visit from the arms officer to make sure my rack is in good order.

And I'll be getting an SKS 7.62x39 so probably deer/pigs/goats what not, I'd do birds like ducks and pheasants but I've heard its really hard finding places to shoot with a shotgun.
As I said I'm just getting into it over here, I used to do it with a bow back in Scotland.

Welcome to the forum.
Where about are you from in Scotland?
So you were illegally hunting in Scotland with bow?
If my memory serve me well you can't shoot something with an arrow anymore over there for a while. Only shotgun on game birds and rifle for the rest.
You can hunt with a bow here no problem.
The sks is not the best choice for what you intend to do.
Good luck

Thanks and Glasgow
Nope it is totally legal if it is on private land and over 45 pounds in draw weight(I only ever took rabbits with judo heads on my friends uncles farm). Almost impossible to get a firearm unless you are a farmer, Even for hunting purposes. Most people generally go for clay discs unless they live in the highlands where it is easier to get access to legal bird hunting, Even then it has to be private land.
I'm after the SKS because money is a little tight for me right now, It was either that or a mosin nagant, But I thought because of the length and weight it wouldn't make a very good firearm for hunting. The SKS has an effective range of about 450 yards which I'd imagine would be enough in general.. But i'm certainly no expert when it comes to firearms!

Welcome to.the forum SK.

welcome Scotty, I cant help with hunting spots around Wellington. If you are coming to the Coromandel I can introduce you to some good fishing.

What are you doing in New Zealand? I'm located in Wellington. Know fuck all spots around here but can take you for a walk.

Weather back in Scotia sucks and can't stand the politics over there, Plus got a wee bit of family And hope its not a long romantic walk on the beach!

Welcome to NZ and the forum dude

Originally Posted by Scottishkiwi

Thanks and Glasgow
Nope it is totally legal if it is on private land and over 45 pounds in draw weight(I only ever took rabbits with judo heads on my friends uncles farm). Almost impossible to get a firearm unless you are a farmer, Even for hunting purposes. Most people generally go for clay discs unless they live in the highlands where it is easier to get access to legal bird hunting, Even then it has to be private land.
I'm after the SKS because money is a little tight for me right now, It was either that or a mosin nagant, But I thought because of the length and weight it wouldn't make a very good firearm for hunting. The SKS has an effective range of about 450 yards which I'd imagine would be enough in general.. But i'm certainly no expert when it comes to firearms!

I think that effective range would be ability to wound a human at least once with a full mag.
I very much doubt you will find that is its real effective range as a hunting weapon on big game or small game.

Keep an eye out on here for a cheap sporting rifle second hand,they come up all the time. If you intend actually shooting Game at 450y you owe it to the animal to use a rifle and calibre that will do the job humanly and that your skills are up to scratch also.
Any of the popular NZ hunting calibers 6mm and up are capable of humane killing at those ranges if you do your part well tho it is at the extreme end of range for some without specialised loading.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I think that effective range would be ability to wound a human at least once with a full mag.
I very much doubt you will find that is its real effective range as a hunting weapon on big game or small game.

Keep an eye out on here for a cheap sporting rifle second hand,they come up all the time. If you intend actually shooting Game at 450y you owe it to the animal to use a rifle and calibre that will do the job humanly and that your skills are up to scratch also.
Any of the popular NZ hunting calibers 6mm and up are capable of humane killing at those ranges if you do your part well tho it is at the extreme end of range for some without specialised loading.

I'm trying to budget myself for under 400 dollars right now, as i said All i can find is an SKS and mosin nagant >.< I looked at a 7mm but it was a little out my price range.. I don't intend to try shooting further than 200-250yds