Thread: Gear list for north island day hunts

Don't be bogged down with what you 'could' take (as there is an ever increasing influx of new gear on the market - 'nice to haves') and focus on what you're trying to do: kill a deer over the course of a single day, and take it home, with the small chance of having to spend a night in the bush if things don't go well/or to call for help.

You need a way to kill/butcher the animal; a way of regulating your body temperature; and contingency gear - shelter/communications if things go pear shaped.

1 = Rifle, ammo, & knife - with an old pillow case to stuff the meat in (if you're boning it out in the field) and a pack to carry it out with,

2= Rain poncho, fleece & light woolen singlet if it gets cold/wet.

3) A lighter and a piece of bike tyre inner tube (to start fire during unexpected night out). A PLB beacon (in case you were to get injured and need to call for help).


The reason I'd go for a poncho over a rain jacket for a single day hunt, is because they're generally lighter, and in the even that you had to spend a night in the bush, the poncho can double as a fly. That way one item can perform two tasks - whereas the rain jacket can't.

Day hunts are all about quick and light.

As for food - 2-3 snickers bars is all you'll need for a day. Don't mess around with cookers, gas, water purification straws etc.