Thread: Suppliers of Dehy and / or Heat to Go meals for hunters

Hi,
Can anybody give me updated info on suppliers of these hunting / outdoors type meals who offer discounted prices to NZDA members ?
I know Go Native ( ? ) and Back Country did previously but don't know if this remains current or if additional suppliers are also on board.
Couldn't fine relative info on NZDA's website.
Any info greatly appreciated, thanks.

Go Native offer 20% off for NZDA members. Details are in the NZDA app (use member number to login), or often in the national office newsletter I think.

I think its just "Go native" now?

Unless you buy it through Torpedo7 or something...

I just bought $700 worth from Back Country, excellent service and very fast. Used the NZDA 20% discount.

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

I just bought $700 worth from Back Country, excellent service and very fast. Used the NZDA 20% discount.

Thanks for this info @Husky1600#2
Any suggestions for the best back Country meals to obtain and any that should be dismissed ?
Cheers

I always think the best dehy meals are the ones that are meant to have a wet texture - curries, laksa, chili etc. I usually steer clear of the roast meat and veg flavours.

Bring packet of corn chips and a block of cheese with your dehy chili and you've got nachos fit for a king.

When I worked at Bivouac we did discounts for NZDA - and not just on meals. Might pay to ask at your local store.

Originally Posted by 30.06king

Thanks for this info @Husky1600#2
Any suggestions for the best back Country meals to obtain and any that should be dismissed ?
Cheers

I tend to like "conventional" type meals, dont like 'em too hot or spicy. Backcountry have lots of choices, and good descriptions on their website/order form and I just went through and picked ones that fitted with what I eat at home and my mates picked their choices. The Big Breakfast is a pretty decent meal, and heats up well, but I cant have salt and its too salty for me. But it is a popular start to a day on the hill for a lot of guys. As @podocarp has said, its very easy to make a dehi meal even better with the addition of something simple like corn chips and cheese. some of the meals have the dehi spuds in a separate pkt inside and it makes up as a 2 or 3 part meal instead of just one big hot pot. Dehi onions and eggs are an easy extra to take to jazz a meal up. Or extra dehi rice.

I bought the last order for a 10 day trip for 6 of us. One thing that i find important is to take some "fat" to add to the meals. Fat cant be dehydrated and dehi meals have no fat. A knob of butter or some oil in the meal adds a bit to the flavour, but also leaves you feeling full after you've eaten and you dont get to the end of a trip wanting to stop off at the closest Macka's or fish and chip shop. The fat or oil can also then be used to fry up some fresh meat or fish to add to your meal. And I also carry a small pkt of "coat and cook" for freshly caught fish.

When I was guiding in Canada, we also had access to several dehi desserts, stuff that would make you wonder what it was gonna be like, or how the hell they even dehi'd it to get it in a packet. But I never found any that didnt taste as you would expect. Dont be scared to try some of what is available.

For breakfasts my go too has always been a ziplock back of quick oats, milk powder, glucose powder and drinking chocolate powder in daily serves. I heat enough water for a coffee and to pour in the bag, I don't cook it just hydrate and eat. Works for me and been using it for years..

I can confirm that the apple crumble back country cuisine is absolutely feral. I guess there was a reason it had sat in the hut a while.

I like to add too much water,then chuck in packet of 2 minute noodles to bulk it up. The other really good bulker for meals is modern dehy spuds.

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

One thing that i find important is to take some "fat" to add to the meals. Fat cant be dehydrated and dehi meals have no fat. A knob of butter or some oil in the meal adds a bit to the flavour, but also leaves you feeling full after you've eaten and you dont get to the end of a trip wanting to stop off.

Some of the newer brands e.g. Radix are actually pretty dense in fat. They even have a keto range that's just fats and protein. I guess at 9 calories per gram, fats don't need to dry down to be weight-efficient.

Totally agree a jar of olive oil goes a long way though, makes a meal waaaay more satisfying after a long day on the mountain. Great for sauteeing heart and tenderloins at camp, too!

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

I tend to like "conventional" type meals, dont like 'em too hot or spicy. Backcountry have lots of choices, and good descriptions on their website/order form and I just went through and picked ones that fitted with what I eat at home and my mates picked their choices. The Big Breakfast is a pretty decent meal, and heats up well, but I cant have salt and its too salty for me. But it is a popular start to a day on the hill for a lot of guys. As @podocarp has said, its very easy to make a dehi meal even better with the addition of something simple like corn chips and cheese. some of the meals have the dehi spuds in a separate pkt inside and it makes up as a 2 or 3 part meal instead of just one big hot pot. Dehi onions and eggs are an easy extra to take to jazz a meal up. Or extra dehi rice.

I bought the last order for a 10 day trip for 6 of us. One thing that i find important is to take some "fat" to add to the meals. Fat cant be dehydrated and dehi meals have no fat. A knob of butter or some oil in the meal adds a bit to the flavour, but also leaves you feeling full after you've eaten and you dont get to the end of a trip wanting to stop off at the closest Macka's or fish and chip shop. The fat or oil can also then be used to fry up some fresh meat or fish to add to your meal. And I also carry a small pkt of "coat and cook" for freshly caught fish.

When I was guiding in Canada, we also had access to several dehi desserts, stuff that would make you wonder what it was gonna be like, or how the hell they even dehi'd it to get it in a packet. But I never found any that didnt taste as you would expect. Dont be scared to try some of what is available.

First job out of school was at DSIR in Palmy. We had a walk in freeze dry vault. Used for freeze drying all manner of grasses etc to assess palatibility. Don't ask me how.

Anywho, a lot of us were hunters/trampers/mountaineers and we would freeze dry all manner of meals. Even froze dried icecream. Came out weird and had to be eaten then and there.

Strawberry Ambrosia is a great dessert, maybe a bit sweet for some people.

Couldn't stomach the fish pie, luckily I was offered some of a mates one and it wasn't my main meal.

Roast chicken and vege and beef teriyaki on the weekend were both 2.5 years past best before and I'm still alive. The stuffing in the roast chicken was like eating car seat foam though.
All trial and error on what you will or won't like really.

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

I just bought $700 worth from Back Country, excellent service and very fast. Used the NZDA 20% discount.

Youre the man, can I go hunting with you.��

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

I just bought $700 worth from Back Country, excellent service and very fast. Used the NZDA 20% discount.

Random i can't find them on the NZDA app?