Thread: Paid hunt vs gear upgrades

You don't need "better gear". More deer were shot in NZ by a few men using ex-army 303's whilst wearing swandris, woollen singlets, undies and hobnail boots probably than all the gear junky hunters out there today combined.

All you need is a rifle that shoots straight, a knife and warm clothes. I regularly go hunting with normal clothes, a pocket knife and my .223. Still bring home more deer than most people I know.

Having the latest and greatest gear will not get you more deer. Time in the hills will. If you have a bit of coin set aside for a paid hunt or gear, I suggest spending it on diesel instead and just go hunting.

I should add though. If you want to buy new gear just for the sake of having some new gear, then by all means do so. We all do that! Haha

I started hunting in the early 90's with no clue as to what to look for. We would walk along the tracks hoping to see a deer. Did a chopper trip into the Boyd Hut. We had no one to show us. Found a new woman and lost interest.
Early 2000's got back into it again. Read some books and still confused.
I went on a organized hunt with a group of guys from another forum. Within 30min a lot of what I read fell into place as I was shown what the different feed sign etc meant.
I highly recommend you get someone to hold your hand and save wasting a lot of time, frustration and disappointment. Whether it is for free from this forum or a paid hunt, the time saved will put dinner on your table

Originally Posted by 199p

Where are u based mate?

Auckland

Flick me a message next time your coming down to ruahines, I am not expert but if im free im keen on a hunt. Hard during stockcar season tho

Originally Posted by 199p

Flick me a message next time your coming down to ruahines, I am not expert but if im
free im keen on a hunt. Hard during stockcar season tho

Will do mate

I've done both of those things and neither will make you a better hunter.
Guided hunts are you paying to put an animal on the ground, in theory you'll learn something but really the emphasis is just on getting the client an animal.

Good ( I.e. Expensive) gear won't improve you anymore than a wooden flanny and a pair of work shorts.

I picked up most of the skills I have today wearing boots dad bought for a chamois hunting trip in NZ 20 years before hand an old woolen swandri and a backpack with mouse chewed holes all through it.

Foot on dirt will get you to where you want to be. Obsess on learning why deer do what they do, when they do it, how they do it and you'll find them.

Join a club or go down to the pub and buy an old hunter a beer and have a good chat and if you're lucky a hunt with him and you pick it up

I've learn one thing about hunting. Don't listen to other hunters about the hunting areas you want to hunt .if they say don't go there you need to go there ,why because ive shot more deer in those areas .Doing your home work is a must 1 trip is never enough .

Originally Posted by kawekakid

I've learn one thing about hunting. Don't listen to other hunters about the hunting areas you want to hunt .if they say don't go there you need to go there ,why because ive shot more deer in those areas .Doing your home work is a must 1 trip is never enough .

Stay away from the Tararuas then, its shit

So got three days in the tongariro park over Chrisy going to head in toward the wanganui sum thick bush but see how we go will at least slay a few rainbows for the smoker