Thread: Learning to Hunt, the Hard Way.

Originally Posted by flock

Otautahi / Christchurch.
The same background started hunting 1980s, 3 years in forestry cental north island, only ever saw 12 or so deer, always on the move, spooked. Concentrated on bunnies and later goats Taranaki. Back to Auckland gave shooting away took up boating/ fishing. Have ended up in Otautahi & so back into shooting, mostly at the range, love reloading. No contacts, age & heath now in the way of doing the hard yards, just have to pay for private land hunting, only take 1 meat animal a year, tons for 2 people. Next I'll become vegan & take up knitting.

Nothing wrong with a good pair of knitted winter socks!

Originally Posted by Basenjiboy

Did you not do think about doing the NZDA HUNTs course? - CHCH has a good programme.
it may help to embed technical skills now that you have developed the mindset.

Expressed interest a few times but never got any response.

Very interesting to hear how many people have started in a similar way!

I found it tough going until it all clicked and now I'm seeing deer on every hunt and successful on about 2 out of 3 hunts.

NZDA is a quick way to learn the skills on where and how to hunt through courses and connecting with senior hunters.

Rock up (invite yourself) to one of the NZDA meetings and tell them your new to it all and keen to get into it. I'm sure they will help you out.

This is totally me. my dad isn't around he never hunted anyway. Born in the Mackenzie never hunted big game no family no mates ever hunted but I'm mad about hunting I have all the gear needed except firearms license. I have a compound bow and been out solo killed my legs and body lugging stuff around with nothing heard some roars seen some signs still not got anything.

The thing that drives me is I'm a butcher by trade did 5 years in butcher shop learned small goods the lot.

I did 11 years contract boning venison at the freezing works. I can break down animals eyes closed in lightning speed with no meat left on the bone.

I love eating venison I have been given game venison before I love it.

I'm diagnosed coeliac disease so I can't eat anything except meat vegetables and fruit.

So if anyone wants a great packer with the bonus of 16 years breaking animals down I'm your man! I can shoot have firearms experience just not bagged my own.

I'm 41 so I'm no young buck but I'm also pretty fit and 1000x keen. Like I say I'm born in the country, so I have shot alot of rabbits and possums used a lot of rifles.

In Christchurch can go anytime I'm in soft retirement (widowed 7 years ago). Kind of getting out there for the peace of it and I love the wilderness would love to tag along with someone my knife skills and knowledge of animal carcass will be a bonus for anyone.

Originally Posted by Shanon

This is totally me. my dad isn't around he never hunted anyway. Born in the Mackenzie never hunted big game no family no mates ever hunted but I'm mad about hunting I have all the gear needed except firearms license. I have a compound bow and been out solo killed my legs and body lugging stuff around with nothing heard some roars seen some signs still not got anything.

The thing that drives me is I'm a butcher by trade did 5 years in butcher shop learned small goods the lot.

I did 11 years contract boning venison at the freezing works. I can break down animals eyes closed in lightning speed with no meat left on the bone.

I love eating venison I have been given game venison before I love it.

I'm diagnosed coeliac disease so I can't eat anything except meat vegetables and fruit.

So if anyone wants a great packer with the bonus of 16 years breaking animals down I'm your man! I can shoot have firearms experience just not bagged my own.

I'm 41 so I'm no young buck but I'm also pretty fit and 1000x keen. Like I say I'm born in the country, so I have shot alot of rabbits and possums used a lot of rifles.

In Christchurch can go anytime I'm in soft retirement (widowed 7 years ago). Kind of getting out there for the peace of it and I love the wilderness would love to tag along with someone my knife skills and knowledge of animal carcass will be a bonus for anyone.

Sounds like you have some useful skills! Are goats an option where you live? They are more forgiving to the novice hunter and not bad to eat if prepared properly.

If only you had come along couple of years ago. Back up in the top of the south now.

Great read and very insightful . Similar to my path no mentors etc Early 80s CHCH not much game around but got a few goats up Kaikoura way. Took 7 yrs to get my first deer an 11 pt stag hanging in my lounge looking at me! A few since but the best ones are when I've taken a new hunter out and they have been successful. Still learning don't know much but love the process of the hunt, planning
the hard yards and just a quiet couple of days in the hills. Even better when my lads want to tag along.

Im still very much a novice and have been learning in a similar way, trying to read and learn as much as possible so when i do get a chance to get into the bush, hopefully something will come home for dinner

Thanks for sharing Average-Lad. Same for me, no-one in my family hunted or fished. Self taught but still haven't nailed a deer yet. Rabbits, possums, turkeys, peacocks, goats and wallabies have been my victims. Will get a deer eventually. Keep up the good work and any experience is a good experience