Thread: What to bring for the first hunting day trip?

Hi all

I'm looking to go on a day trip for my first hunting (in fact more like "walking with a gun on the back" type of trip) in Oxford Forest following the track.

Is there anything I need to know and bring?

Thank you in advance!

No shooting from the track

Headlamp, extra batteries and a back up

Good stuff mate. The packing list from Better Hunting is a pretty good starting point.

It's a popular spot so I would make a plan as to some likely spots you might push off the track and take a look around if you feel confident.

I grew up around there but have never hunted it, but I'm sure someone with local knowledge will be along to give you pointers

Water bladder
Raincoat, even if it is not raining
Printed copy of map of area in plastic ziplock bag with compass
A known and trusted individual that you have told where you will be going and who, if you are not back by a certain time, will alert authorities
merino baselayer

Printed permits too - easy to forget

Enthusiasm and good eyes to identify any potential targets.

Originally Posted by veryfuturistic

Good stuff mate. The packing list from Better Hunting is a pretty good starting point.

It's a popular spot so I would make a plan as to some likely spots you might push off the track and take a look around if you feel confident.

I grew up around there but have never hunted it, but I'm sure someone with local knowledge will be along to give you pointers

Thank you! The list is really useful!, as I'm not sure if I'm into the hunting, my first trip will likely be me walking around without firing any shot. The list for the day trip is certainly useful in this case.

Originally Posted by 308

Water bladder
Raincoat, even if it is not raining
Printed copy of map of area in plastic ziplock bag with compass
A known and trusted individual that you have told where you will be going and who, if you are not back by a certain time, will alert authorities
merino baselayer

exactly could not have put it better great advice 308 all he needs

No worries, the whole Better Hunting course is worth a look in. It's easy to get dissuaded -- I say this as someone who is largely self-taught and still learning. Just think of your first hunt as the first in a series of hunts. @Happy Jack's points about enthusiasm and powers of observation are good ones. Sharpen your senses and learn the geography of where you would like to hunt. Figure out what the habits of the deer are, what they are feeding on etc. Over a few visits you will get a better picture of the landscape and eventually this will bear fruit.

Dunny paper.

a knife

I'm still very much learning being self taught too but been tramping for years.

Buy this book, the latest edition about $34.

Originally Posted by Gamehunter

Dunny paper.

good one esay to forget rangiora is no substitute

A bucket to put everything you learn on the trip into. You might not shoot an animal but remember any clearings where the sun strikes in the early morning and evening. Where you see any fresh sign. Where you are best to SIT, wait, and look, rather than clumsily tramping through the bush hoping to score something.
That should fill the bucket up nicely.