Thread: Noob...

New here (in more ways than one) - if I'm asking the obvious, that's why...

Gonna ask the probably done to death questions, but doing some FAQ'ing din't much bring up anything useful, and I've not figured out the lay of this forum yet and hopefully I'll get pointed in the right direction...

1. What would be a good a resource that gives info on hunting areas in NZ? North Island at the mo'.
2. What would be considered a good go-to calibre for hunting in NZ - I'm supposing pigs and deer?
3. Is there a way of getting eased in to hunting in local conditions - maybe courses, or a guide that specializes in this kind of stuff without tearing you a new one?

Rgds
Dave

1: unknown as i havent hunted the north island in many years
2: 308 will drop anything in nz. plenty of different ammo to choose from too. i've shot many an animal with it but now use 7mmRM. theres many cartridges that will do the job but 308 is a good starter
3: join a club, at least go to a range a few times and get used to the gun you have bought. but joining a club is a good start

.1. There is a book called spot x. I've never read it not sure if good or not. For general hunting knowledge try to get a copy of lentle and Sexton's red deer in nz. For bushcraft go to nz mountain safety council website and buy the bushcraft manual.
2. Many calibers are good. 308 or 7mm08 . In south island arguably 270 and 30.06 more ideal. Use plenty of gun when you first start. Get something you can easily buy ammo for over the counter.
3. NZDA run a hunter training course HUNTS . Or look for tramping club bushcraft courses and go to a rifle range , ask questions, people will usually give helpful advice.

308 or 7mm08.

243 if recoil really puts you off.

Originally Posted by Bagheera

.1. There is a book called spot x. I've never read it not sure if good or not. For general hunting knowledge try to get a copy of lentle and Sexton's red deer in nz. For bushcraft go to nz mountain safety council website and buy the bushcraft manual.
2. Many calibers are good. 308 or 7mm08 . In south island arguably 270 and 30.06 more ideal. Use plenty of gun when you first start. Get something you can easily buy ammo for over the counter.
3. NZDA run a hunter training course HUNTS . Or look for tramping club bushcraft courses and go to a rifle range , ask questions, people will usually give helpful advice.

And there are your answers right there. Oh and welcome aboard.

Welcome. Some good answers there already for you. I'm going to say some sort of 6.5mm for you to cover the bases, 6.5x55 or 6.5 Creedmoor as both are readily available and the accuracy (if you can shoot well) will inspire your confidence.

Check the doc maps for open hunting areas. Then wams for access.

Then get out there. You will learn a lot from just being there trying to find them.

Just don't give up. I have been doing it for 2 years and have not shot anything but have spooked plenty. It'll happen

Originally Posted by davetapson

New here (in more ways than one) - if I'm asking the obvious, that's why...

Gonna ask the probably done to death questions, but doing some FAQ'ing din't much bring up anything useful, and I've not figured out the lay of this forum yet and hopefully I'll get pointed in the right direction...

1. What would be a good a resource that gives info on hunting areas in NZ? North Island at the mo'.
2. What would be considered a good go-to calibre for hunting in NZ - I'm supposing pigs and deer?
3. Is there a way of getting eased in to hunting in local conditions - maybe courses, or a guide that specializes in this kind of stuff without tearing you a new one?

Rgds
Dave

Dear Dave @davetapson welcome onboard.
If you pop along to the introduction page and give us a few lines on your interests. We can come up with some more in-depth answers to your questions.
Cheers S

Good Luck Dave. As others say get out and spend time out side.
The NZDA Hunts course is a great place to start for a first timer.

re Caliber. I currently shoot 22rf, 243Win & 358 Win. None of which I would recommend for your aims.
For North Island Deer 243 and up is fine for red's. 223 for Fallow deer & goats (red deer for experienced shooters who have time to pick a shot)
If pigs are on your radar then in the smaller 243 , 6.5mm & 7M08 you need to pick a tougher bullet than you would use for deer which adds complexity a new shooter wants to avoid.
so much as I hate to say it I would suggest that a 308 would be a better all round pick.
Z

Thanks kindly for the info.

Just what I needed.

Spot x / DOC maps / Wams to get pointed in the direction of hunting areas.

Hunts course sounds like not a stupid idea.

Need to get the Firearms Licence process underway.

Then probably a .22 to plink with / start learning to shoot straight again / force me to find a local range / teach my boy (and maybe his sister if she shows interest - she's competitive enough not to let him get away without some challenge) how to shoot. Norinco JW15?

Then probably a 308. Always seen it as a bit 'industrial' due to 7.62 NATO connotations but should probably put that prejudice away until I can afford to be prejudiced. What would be good 'starter' rifles to start looking at?

I see you guys like 7mm08. From what I can figure it has flatter ballistics and slightly less recoil? Would the purchase / running price of the two be much different?
6.5mm has not much been on my radar before, seems like the US military like it.

the JW15 is good "bang for your buck" but really needs a trigger polish to shoot right. i would go marlin or ruger for the 22
the 308 depends on budget and if you are buying new or used. plenty out there to choose from

7-08 is just for training use till you buy a 7mm rem mag

Dave, not much in the purchase and feeding of 7mm08 and 308. Either will serve you well.

Ballistically 7mm08 is superior, although at typical deer zapping ranges, I don't think you'd notice one way or other.

If you wanted to shoot stuff at a considerable distance, that might change.

As to which brand, read the reviews on the Howa 1500. I bought one and like it, although I found it kicked.

I bought a suppressor for it, and found instantly that it had a very agreeable personality change.

308 is big and ugly enough to reliably kill most anything in NZ, except for a few critters in the zoo.

Ammo is available across the country in a wide range of bullet weights and types. Howa are a great option available in an equally impressive range of options from lightweight to long range chassis rifkes, and come in combos with svope and supressor already attached for less than a bare rifle costs in other brands.

Your choice will boil down to funds and personal preferences though. Enjoy the journey - it's all part of what makes this such an awesome pastime / hobby / obsession!

Originally Posted by gonetropo

7-08 is just for training use till you buy a 7mm rem mag

Oi!!

certainly nothing wrong with howa, or you can pay 50% more for the same gun if it has wetherby engraved on it