Build a kit for a newbie

Hi Chaps,

As I am near to travel (Hopefully) and be in your fabulas country for some time. Yet to secure the visa but I am just too exited. Wanted to start this thread to get you learned folk’s advice about a small hunting/shooting kit. Though I will be on a budget but would like to build a sturdy kit which should last me few years. Please advice if my choices are okay or you think it needs a change (Brand/type etc.) or I am missing anything. This kit is for area around Wellington, Manawatu etc not really alpine hunting.


Hunting Essentials (On person)

1. Bow (Until I secure FAL) - Big Jim Thunderchild Longbow 50# @28 (Already in New Zealand)
2. Arrows - Will pick up Gold tip trade in NZ
3. Jacket - Please advice
4. Gloves- Apart from archery glove, do I need winter gloves too?
5. Pants - Kuiu Attack pants
6. Boots - Salewas?
7. Binos - Will pick up Vortex Diamondbacks
8. Bino Harness- Vortex
9. Range finder - Got a basic Bushnell
10. Knife - Have few ESEE’s but also picking up one from @viper
11. On person first aid kit - No idea will need advice
12. Multitool - Have a small Victorinox do I need a bigger one?
13. Pack - Kuiu Pro LT frame pack kit
14. Rain Jacket - Need advice
15. Meat bag - Pillow covers?
16. PLB - Need advice

Please advice if you think I am missing anything in on person list

I hope this thread will also help other newbies to build a kit. Will be starting similar threads on Camping and Fishing so that is separate. This is mainly for what will be on my person while hunting (Goats, deer etc)

Thanks in advance chaps.:) :)

-Inder

Really clothing will come down to what island and what seasons you want to hunt. For me I carry a down jacket and a basic rain coat. I seldom wear long pants, it has to be really cold before I do.

a top to toe pack from any of the places that sell them...farmlands,wrightsons,H&f etc will cover most things.decent raincoat...some good milserp ones.... boots is a personal thing....try before you buy.... good you getting knife off Viper...get a sub$20 bacho for all the other tasks.... never needed a miltitool.... packs are also personal thing...I love my K2Hunter as when I get an animal I load the bejesus out of it weight wise.... much prefer external frame packs...there are loads of good ones 2nd hand....
trademe is a really good place to see whats around and give ballpark prices.
you dont need flash gear..... the warehouse polarfleece is good stuff.

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Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Really clothing will come down to what island and what seasons you want to hunt. For me I carry a down jacket and a basic rain coat. I seldom wear long pants, it has to be really cold before I do.

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Thanks @Happy Jack. If its up to me I will be hunting every weekend year around :) . Mainly around wellington area. I have a very high threshold for cold so hopefully I can survive in shorts too.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

a top to toe pack from any of the places that sell them...farmlands,wrightsons,H&f etc will cover most things.decent raincoat...some good milserp ones.... boots is a personal thing....try before you buy.... good you getting knife off Viper...get a sub$20 bacho for all the other tasks.... never needed a miltitool.... packs are also personal thing...I love my K2Hunter as when I get an animal I load the bejesus out of it weight wise.... much prefer external frame packs...there are loads of good ones 2nd hand....
trademe is a really good place to see whats around and give ballpark prices.
you dont need flash gear..... the warehouse polarfleece is good stuff.

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Thanks @Micky Duck. that sound sensible. Will visit these places once you I there.

My thoughts;

Duley Hat, Best camo item, breaks the human outline

Microfibre pants - I used to wear shorts but found I would get scratched and Hook grass seeds. Microfribre pants weigh 260 grams were only about $25 should be able to get them in India.

Super light synthetic camo top, long sleeve and loose fit. I like the Hunters Element tops. Use this as a top layer and then layer underneath with cheep fleece. Saves having everything camo and twigs and rubbish dont cling to stretch synthetic.

As HJ writes above, down jacket and light waterproof 'fit in its own pocket' coat. A better coat might be needed on a big mission but chances are most hunting will be day trips and overnighters. I have a 'Game gear' Carry cape that is good as a coat and for carrying an animal

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

My thoughts;

Duley Hat, Best camo item, breaks the human outline

Microfibre pants - I used to wear shorts but found I would get scratched and Hook grass seeds. Microfribre pants weigh 260 grams were only about $25 should be able to get them in India.

Super light synthetic camo top, long sleeve and loose fit. I like the Hunters Element tops. Use this as a top layer and then layer underneath with cheep fleece. Saves having everything camo and twigs and rubbish dont cling to stretch synthetic.

As HJ writes above, down jacket and light waterproof 'fit in its own pocket' coat. A better coat might be needed on a big mission but chances are most hunting will be day trips and overnighters. I have a 'Game gear' Carry cape that is good as a coat and for carrying an animal

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Thanks @Moa Hunter. not sure about Microfibre pants, maybe they are called something else here. Will find out. I do have some hiking pants (Bought from Decalathon) which are pretty lightweight. Planning to be in US before I am in NZ. Will pick up some stuff from there.

Game gear carry cape makes sense. Thanks for pointing to it.

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Originally Posted by Inder

Thanks @Moa Hunter. not sure about Microfibre pants, maybe they are called something else here. Will find out. I do have some hiking pants (Bought from Decalathon) which are pretty lightweight. Planning to be in US before I am in NZ. Will pick up some stuff from there.

Game gear carry cape makes sense. Thanks for pointing to it.

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Microfibre pants are sold as gym / sports pants but very very lightweight stretch nylon. I was so impressed with them for work and for hunting I bought six pairs. If you get the type with a zip at the ankle, they can be worn with the zip open and the leg will cover the top of the boots and keep most rubbish out

check out meoptas for binos, just my 10 cents for hunting clothing here in south island Big fan of stoney creek gear, pretty personal and even here in southland different gear then if i was in otago, but a good jacket (stoney creek) good polar fleece jersey pair of shorts and good pants you should have the bases covered, i also like a long sleeved lightwieght top for alpine, stoney creek and hunters element both make a good one

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Microfibre pants are sold as gym / sports pants but very very lightweight stretch nylon. I was so impressed with them for work and for hunting I bought six pairs. If you get the type with a zip at the ankle, they can be worn with the zip open and the leg will cover the top of the boots and keep most rubbish out

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Got you, I already have few too many track suits. Will use those. I do have one not with zip but with draw strings at the ankles made by PUMA. Thanks for the tip.

-Inder

I did start writing some advice, but it didn't read well, so thought I'd share my actual day hunting kit. Other people will have a different ideas, but every item whether you take it or not has risks/benefits. Main risk of taking something you don't use is extra weight which can wear you down after while. My kit is much smaller now than when I started and this has contributed to my success.

https://i.ibb.co/yh29PPz/Screen-Shot...t-23-23-59.png

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Originally Posted by MB

I did start writing some advice, but it didn't read well, so thought I'd share my actual day hunting kit. Other people will have a different ideas, but every item whether you take it or not has risks/benefits. Main risk of taking something you don't use is extra weight which can wear you down after while. My kit is much smaller now than when I started and this has contributed to my success.

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This is gold MB, I was missing too many essentials things like compass, torch etc. Excuse my newbieness but what is OSM?

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Originally Posted by Inder

This is gold MB, I was missing too many essentials things like compass, torch etc. Excuse my newbieness but what is OSM?

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Haha! OSM = One Square Meal. A sort of synthetic food stuff that feeds the body, but not the soul!

https://www.osm.nz/

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Originally Posted by Inder

This is gold MB, I was missing too many essentials things like compass, torch etc. Excuse my newbieness but what is OSM?

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My watch functions as a primary compass and my torch is very small, but it is bright and lasts long enough to get me out of a pickle. I have a bigger torch for longer trips in to the bush.

https://i.ibb.co/vcHtq5N/images.jpg

GPS Topo map on phone good.
Carry a compass and laminated map as back up now

Cordage for tying animal or spare bootlaces. Some barley sugar sweets or chocolate. Candle matches or lighter and a small billy. Whistle. Large plastc rubbish bag , serves as emergency shelter and for carrying meat also keeps spare clothing dry.

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Originally Posted by MB

My watch functions as a primary compass and my torch is very small, but it is bright and lasts long enough to get me out of a pickle. I have a bigger torch for longer trips in to the bush.

https://i.ibb.co/vcHtq5N/images.jpg

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I do have a fenix20 which goes on my belt in a holster and just realised my Casio Protrek got a compass too. Thanks MB

Great inputs gents. This stuff is really useful. Here in INDIA we never worry about getting lost as there is always someone around to tell the way :D so I was not even thinking about compass, maps etc.

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Originally Posted by Inder

Great inputs gents. This stuff is really useful. Here in INDIA we never worry about getting lost as there is always someone around to tell the way :D so I was not even thinking about compass, maps etc.

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I know you're keen to stuck in to hunting, but if you find yourself in the north (Whangarei), I will happily take you fishing.

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Originally Posted by MB

I know you're keen to stuck in to hunting, but if you find yourself in the north (Whangarei), I will happily take you fishing.

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Thanks for the kind offer MB. ::Folded hands::

If you see my avtaar, I am also an angler and very very keen to learn fly fishing. Will surely take up your offer one day.

I plan to cover all NZ by road and very keen to meet as many as outdoorsy people and make friends. Big plans for now, hopefully will materialise one day. NZ immigration willing :D

In a small water proof seal lock plastic bag carry a new cigarette lighter and some pieces of car / bike inner tube - if you are caught out overnight in cold weather a fire is the difference between surviving and freezing

Either buy or rent a PLB. if you arent used to using maps or being well away from people having a "help I'm injured/ lost, please come get me" button is literally a lifesaver

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Originally Posted by 16Tontovarish

Either buy or rent a PLB. if you arent used to using maps or being well away from people having a "help I'm injured/ lost, please come get me" button is literally a lifesaver

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Yes 16Tontovarish, that is the first thing I will pick up before I head out. As you said I am not used to un-habitated places. Suggestion taken..

Thanks much

Id say you have everything you need already and you are overthinking it
unless you are heading in for a heli hunt in doing your looking around you will quickly realise how warm clothing you need

iv given up on hunting gear and just use my normal work clothes IE jeans and redbands with a polyprop jersey
if I need a raincoat ill go a different day. at a stretch ill use thermals but quickly regret it for day hunts when I start sweating my ass off

its not siberia till you hit the alpine bits of the south island

one litre milk bottle full of water and a knife on my belt and you are into it

watch a few hunting in nz programs and try ignore the brands they are trying to push for the $$
then hit the second hand shops and get a pair of pants that fit for $6 and just get out there

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Originally Posted by Bill999

Id say you have everything you need already and you are overthinking it
unless you are heading in for a heli hunt in doing your looking around you will quickly realise how warm clothing you need

iv given up on hunting gear and just use my normal work clothes IE jeans and redbands with a polyprop jersey
if I need a raincoat ill go a different day. at a stretch ill use thermals but quickly regret it for day hunts when I start sweating my ass off

its not siberia till you hit the alpine bits of the south island

one litre milk bottle full of water and a knife on my belt and you are into it

watch a few hunting in nz programs and try ignore the brands they are trying to push for the $$
then hit the second hand shops and get a pair of pants that fit for $6 and just get out there

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I ll learn from folks like you guys here @Bill999. As I will not have liberty to choose the days (Will only get weekends) and intend to get out as much as I can (Need to compensate for 45Y of my non-hunting life on this planet :D) . I need to be kind of weatherproof hence the question on rain gear.

I am more function over form so will take heed to your suggestion of being frugal. Regarding hunting brands, though I don't have much experience with them (Barring few items I pick up on my trips to US) I feel they are overpriced when compared with normal hiking, tracking stuff. Just IMHO off course.

One of the best things , considering you are inexperienced to NZ conditions is to join the N Z deerstalkers association
clubs are through out nz and very helpful . best of luck mate .

This list helped me when i was starting out. Still carry similar gear now, its a great place to start. FishnHunt - New Zealands Famous Hunting and Fishing Forum Since 1995 - NIMRODS pack contents

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Originally Posted by HILLBILLYHUNTERS

One of the best things , considering you are inexperienced to NZ conditions is to join the N Z deerstalkers association
clubs are through out nz and very helpful . best of luck mate .

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Also see if you can get onto a HUNTS course.

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Originally Posted by HILLBILLYHUNTERS

One of the best things , considering you are inexperienced to NZ conditions is to join the N Z deerstalkers association
clubs are through out nz and very helpful . best of luck mate .

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Thanks HILLBILLYHUNTERS, Yes thats the plan. Will join NZDA once I am there.

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Originally Posted by kbrebs

This list helped me when i was starting out. Still carry similar gear now, its a great place to start. FishnHunt - New Zealands Famous Hunting and Fishing Forum Since 1995 - NIMRODS pack contents

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This is pure gold for newbies like me, thanks for writing and sharing it here. Nice bangstick too :)