Thread: Where to hunt when wanting to consistently fill a LARGE Meat locker/freeza from Auck?

I realise these questions get asked a lot, so did a search and found some good info, but would like some personal help from ya'll if thats ok.

Im hoping to retire in the deep south for its hunting and quality underwater gathering. Until then, Im stuck working in Auckland.

Living in Auckland, havnt been hunting NZ for 25 years. Not asking for X spots. Just what would be the most productive public property areas close to Auckland that would consistently produce deer? I have a large family and am not fond of factory farming, so prefer to eat wild meats. I do enjoy red deer but will eat anything (almost). I also spearfish so hunt under water a lot. I got most of my hunting gear sorted, due to doing a lot of hiking overseas and the occasional hunt, but will need top layer Camos and a new pack and meat bags, and a solid rifle, have already been looking into that side of things but any good quality budget options appreciated ( when it all adds up it is not cheap but at same time being cheap just buys rubbish)

Will probably join a club here in the not too distant future. Any tips on finding like minded hunting buddies? (it takes all sorts in this world, Im more of a Commerce guy by day, hunter by weekend and appreciate the company of fairly cultured sorts, but at same time am not a snob, hope that makes sense) But any tips on the better public blocks that hold good numbers close enough to Auckland to get my juices up watching some videos would be appreciated. I was thinking Kaimanawa's but if there are more productive areas within 3 hours of there Id rather go where my chances are higher. I tend not to be a hunter for sport but one for a means of protein source, I do enjoy meat, Ive tried not to, but honestly, that is cruelty to me haha.

I also eat smaller game like Rabbits, eaten possum but not so keen. Are there any public blocks Taupo upward I can go to plink a few furry stew stockings?

Kaimais,pureora,kaimanawas,as usual you need to spend time in the bush finding the areas that hold deer,no ones going to tell you where the best spots are you have to do the legwork yourself ,something we used to do before the internet was invented.

Your username would suggest that you are not unfamiliar with goats. If you really just want to fill the freezer, I would target them to begin with, there's nothing wrong with the meat from young animals. I can't help with location, I struggle to find goats in the deerless north.

There is a place in the Kaimanawas at the end of a track that runs from a car park to a clearing.
From the clearing you go up into the bush,sidle along for a while with the wind in your face.
I shot a nice Sika beside a big Tree above a river.
To get home you reverse the steps in the first sentence.

Happy to help!

Originally Posted by norsk

There is a place in the Kaimanawas at the end of a track that runs from a car park to a clearing.
From the clearing you go up into the bush,sidle along for a while with the wind in your face.
I shot a nice Sika beside a big Tree above a river.
To get home you reverse the steps in the first sentence.

Happy to help!

Great spot that.

Like said above time you drive half a dozen times to a block and come home empty handed you might be better paying for a meat hunt.

Joined in 2018 and this is your first post?

I have a few spots but i dont think im cultured enough for ya.

Originally Posted by Dyls

I have a few spots but i dont think im cultured enough for ya.

Ouch...

Originally Posted by Dyls

I have a few spots but i dont think im cultured enough for ya.

I don’t think goathead is asking for spots, just which general public hunting area has good animal numbers to live near for him to explore himself.

But seriously. The King Country has loads of goats. On private land though so you would need to do some door knocking.
As far as Deer are concerned if you have to ask then you probably aren't skilled enough. Put in the hard yards though and you will eventually have regular success. Pureora, Kaimais and Te Urewera are worth a look. Just don't expect to shoot something first trip.

Originally Posted by Chur Bay

But seriously. The King Country has loads of goats. On private land though so you would need to do some door knocking.
As far as Deer are concerned if you have to ask then you probably aren't skilled enough. Put in the hard yards though and you will eventually have regular success. Pureora, Kaimais and Te Urewera are worth a look. Just don't expect to shoot something first trip.

Actually what are the general rules behind door knocking etiquette? Like what times of the day, how to approach with the topic of hunting, and what to offer, etc. the closest I’ve been comfortable with door knocking is asking friends at work if they know someone with farmland. Been too nervous to actually randomly drive up someone’s driveway and ask a stranger if they have animals I can shoot. hunting native public land is a lot more fun and challenging for the sport side of things but sometimes it’s nice to just get meat from a friends house and offer some drinks or other treats as thanks.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

Actually what are the general rules behind door knocking etiquette? Like what times of the day, how to approach with the topic of hunting, and what to offer, etc. the closest I’ve been comfortable with door knocking is asking friends at work if they know someone with farmland. Been too nervous to actually randomly drive up someone’s driveway and ask a stranger if they have animals I can shoot. hunting native public land is a lot more fun and challenging for the sport side of things but sometimes it’s nice to just get meat from a friends house and offer some drinks or other treats as thanks.

That's an incredibly good question. As a land owner with a sporadic deer problem I hate to say I would probably still say 'no' straight away to any unknown person seeking hunting rights. There are so many possible things that could go wrong with unknown shooters on private land, and there are liability issue for landowners that need to be taken seriously, as well as issues over liability if something goes wrong with neighbours.

I have found it is very difficult to guage how reliable someone might be untill I see them handling firearms. People who appear highly credible might be incredibly negligent with firearms, and I know some rough looking buggers most people would not trust to look after their spare change who are the most sensible, safe and reliable people around. In my case I don't let anyone shoot here without observing them shooting first.

You're probably on the right track seeking hunting farmland through a mutual friend.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

I don’t think goathead is asking for spots, just which general public hunting area has good animal numbers to live near for him to explore himself.

Some people read the post.... Its always the way, on any hunting/spearing forum, you ask for GENERAL areas that are best for your location and you get people acting pissy like you asking for their mums secret sauce.

But yes Jess that is exactly all Im asking for, and thank you to those that answered it.

I also really like the idea of these meat hunts, not something Ive had to resort to before but that will take the pressure of when I want to hunt for fun if the family is fed. They getting a bit sick of fish ;-p.

One form of hunting, more from a sporting perspective, Id like to get into is deer hunting in the push with indicator/pointing dog. The Mrs has OKd me building a Kennel so I can detach the pup from the house until old enough. Just not sure what breed yet. Ive read the NZ pointer dogs, which I presume is a mix breed, are less high maintenance to something like a German pointer. Either way I think dogs need exercise daily anyway. Id like to hunt scopeless and Im wondering if a 22 or 223 is suitable given the very close up hunting Im intending to do. It would also make a good gun for plinking bunnies.

Yep all good with Goat, I make a mean curry with it.

Not sure if there is any public land with rabbits, given they tend to like open pasture fields. So not sure who to approach to get some bun fun happening.

As for Cultured sorts, bit salty there, the sarcasm was lost, my apologies.

What I meant in honesty is more around how to find good sorts, ie people with morals that arent going to swiipe your new GPS you just spent ages saving for. I guess its just a case of joining a club and word of mouth who is a good sort to go hunting with?

Sounds like I was on the right track for good spots, especially using dogs. But will definitely look into these meat hunts.

I was planning on a 308 150 or maybe even 200 grain, and a 222 50 grain set of rifles, although if I end up getting enough meat hunting in the bush, the 223 might be good enough for both. Im not sure on optics or not though, I think bush bashing clearly no optics a gun stays true, but it might be a good idea to start with a small one?

Are there some good dog threads on here? That might be a good place for me to get started.

Originally Posted by GoatHead

Some people read the post.... Its always the way, on any hunting/spearing forum, you ask for GENERAL areas that are best for your location and you get people acting pissy like you asking for their mums secret sauce.

But yes Jess that is exactly all Im asking for, and thank you to those that answered it.

I also really like the idea of these meat hunts, not something Ive had to resort to before but that will take the pressure of when I want to hunt for fun if the family is fed. They getting a bit sick of fish ;-p.

One form of hunting, more from a sporting perspective, Id like to get into is deer hunting in the push with indicator/pointing dog. The Mrs has OKd me building a Kennel so I can detach the pup from the house until old enough. Just not sure what breed yet. Ive read the NZ pointer dogs, which I presume is a mix breed, are less high maintenance to something like a German pointer. Either way I think dogs need exercise daily anyway. Id like to hunt scopeless and Im wondering if a 22 or 223 is suitable given the very close up hunting Im intending to do. It would also make a good gun for plinking bunnies.

Yep all good with Goat, I make a mean curry with it.

Not sure if there is any public land with rabbits, given they tend to like open pasture fields. So not sure who to approach to get some bun fun happening.

As for Cultured sorts, bit salty there, the sarcasm was lost, my apologies.

What I meant in honesty is more around how to find good sorts, ie people with morals that arent going to swiipe your new GPS you just spent ages saving for. I guess its just a case of joining a club and word of mouth who is a good sort to go hunting with?

Sounds like I was on the right track for good spots, especially using dogs. But will definitely look into these meat hunts.

I was planning on a 308 150 or maybe even 200 grain, and a 222 50 grain set of rifles, although if I end up getting enough meat hunting in the bush, the 223 might be good enough for both. Im not sure on optics or not though, I think bush bashing clearly no optics a gun stays true, but it might be a good idea to start with a small one?

Are there some good dog threads on here? That might be a good place for me to get started.

Join your local deer stalkers association. Get up the front smartly and introduce yourself and tell what you want to the meeting. Build relationships with people who can make their assessment via eyeball Mk1. Earn it.