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.

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.

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.

Just completed HUNTS course. Was more useful than I could have ever imagined, esp. for someone who has not hunted NZ bush. Real eye-opener. As is NZ bush. Thanks for the recommendation - not the kind of thing I'd normally do. Thanks to Pete, Mike, Steve for running the course.

Got Spot-x book. Read it before bed, sometimes can't sleep due to imaginings of new places to hunt.

Lentle and Sexton's book on the bed side table for when I'm not checking out Spot-x.

License applied for, safe installed, vetting done, seems to be taking forever to arrive.

First solo / self planned trip coming up, depending on when license arrives.

Two current options in mind:
1. Back to Kaimanawas (where we went with HUNTS) but this time to camp somewhere around Te Iringa and hunt Hinemaiaia or Mangatoatoa streams or even over the watershed to the east - river to the north of Tiki tiki. Else Tiki tiki.

2. Check out the Raukumaras. Maybe up Motu river, else speak to the heli guys and see what they'd recommend.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm 10 steps ahead of where I'd be otherwise. Now just got to get the first beast.

Dave.


Sent from my Nokia 7 plus using Tapatalk

308 or 7mm08.

243 if recoil really puts you off.

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

Originally Posted by gonetropo

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

Oi!!

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

Oi!!

oh c'mon max. does your 7-08 have a pink camo stock too

Originally Posted by gonetropo

oh c'mon max. does your 7-08 have a pink camo stock tooAttachment 111973

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