Thread: Does anyone know of suitable shooting locations in or around Hamilton?

Hey guys,

I am still fairly new to the forum, but was wondering if anyone knows of, or has a, place that someone can sight in a rifle, shoot targets, or shoot rabbits, bunnies, or possum on a semi-regular basis? - In or around the Hamilton Region.
I intend on joining the Waikato Deer Stalkers as I believe they have a new range, and I have often thought about joining the Tokoroa guys as well.

For those who own a bit of land and maybe open to having someone shoot in a safe and tidy manner, a little about myself and my wife;

My name is Adam, I am a 31 Year Old Male, My Wifes name is Wendy, she will never be older than 30 .
I work in the motorcycle industry, for a local wholesaler as part of their online and marketing team. She works in a Childcare Center.
My respect for firearms was found, spending time with relatives who were farmers, who regularly took me out Rabbit and Possum hunting. This later developed into Range Shooting with the open sight 308's out at Clevedon and Hunting down South and Stuart Island. Hers was from her Father who regularly took her hunting.

However, after a small stint overseas, I lost my connection to this hobby.

Over the past couple of years, we have been working our way back into this, but it seems due to the Bad Press Firearms are dished out, the places that used to be available have diminished.
My wife and I have frequently used suppressed 22s of late, mainly due to a lack of suitable locations for something larger, but also because the noise doesn't frighten the neighbors.
However I have promoted myself to a suppressed 300blk and we are now in need of suitable location, to prevent this rifle becoming a safe queen.

We are happy to meet with anyone first, so that you;
Get to know us
Vet us
Or so we can be inducted with your Health and Safety requirements etc.

Please feel free to get in touch, I am happy to provide a contact number.

Thanks in advance!

Adam and Wendy

Good introduction, Adam.

Waikato NZDA will be good. Check out their Facebook and web pages.
For range shooting, briefly, the best option is tokoroa and the south waikato nzda have open days there each month. If you can't find a contact on the web, send me a pm and I'll put you in touch. They are good helpful guys always looking for more shooters to take part in their rim fire and centefire shoots but not set up as a public range day as such.
A bit further afield is bay of plenty nzda 300m range at TECT park which has monthly open days. Costs $15 each and has a few rules but Excellent for sight in and trajectory testing as you can shoot from 25 to 300m from the same firing point.
You would undoubtedly also be able to go to a rotorua branch range day out towards lake tarawera and taupo nzda range is on the Napier taupo rd can be used for a gold coin donation. A bit hard to contact by internet so again pm me if you need a contact.
I understand there is another range at "bunker hill" nearer to you but dont know a contact sorry.

For hunting, I suggest you try the kaimais first. I dont know of many deer on public land out west around raglan. Bridal veil falls is bow hunting only. There are a few goats about on pirongia but fairly hard work Bush hunting. I dont think there are any small game permits being issued for 22 rabbit hunting on doc land but try calling their office. You need to specify it's the te rapa base you want not the main office and they are often out working in the field so so.e persistence will be needed.

There ! Have offered a few pointers without posting any spot X. Phew.

I hunt goats for curry frequently always happy for some company all private land so no cowboys. some times there are rabbits etc
And if you want to look into target shooting long range i just tracked down some folks here in Hamilton seem like really nice guys so could put you in touch 800-1000 mtr i think

800-1000 yards . At whatawhata , certain Saturday afternoons along the year.

You can pm if interested but this no range for the 300 blackout.

Kiwi-Adam if your keen to head to one of the ranges out of town let me know, i'm in Nawton and keen to sight in and throw some lead down range, plus company car = free gas. I'm new to Hamilton and not yet a member of any clubs, however Rosetown Pistol club has a small outdoor range open to members most days from what I gather. I am heading to the indoor range in TA on monday with the intention of joining.

Friwi, is the LR range in Whatawhata associated with a club? always wanted to get into LR

Originally Posted by Bagheera

...A bit further afield is bay of plenty nzda 300m range at TECT park which has monthly open days. Costs $15 each and has a few rules but Excellent for sight in and trajectory testing as you can shoot from 25 to 300m from the same firing point...

It is a bit of a drive but it is a great range. I have been to open days 3 times (costs $20 If not a NZDA member), I have taken 3 rifles each time for sighting in and load development so the drive has been well worthwhile. Nice bunch of helpful guys running it too.
Its great being able to shoot 25m, 50, 100, 200 and 300m all from the one spot, and there is room for multiple targets at each distance too. There doesn't seem to be many people shooting to 300m, last month I think it was only me, same at 200m when I first got there.

Originally Posted by Cigar

It is a bit of a drive but it is a great range. I have been to open days 3 times (costs $20 If not a NZDA member), I have taken 3 rifles each time for sighting in and load development so the drive has been well worthwhile. Nice bunch of helpful guys running it too.
Its great being able to shoot 25m, 50, 100, 200 and 300m all from the one spot, and there is room for multiple targets at each distance too. There doesn't seem to be many people shooting to 300m, last month I think it was only me, same at 200m when I first got there.

You wouldn't be able to help me out with a few questions about TECT? Does it get very crowded? Which DA branch runs it? Do you have to book? I'm moving to Rotorua soon and have heard good things about this place so wouldnt mind checking it out.

Little bit more of a drive but open to the public for a nominal fee every Saturday is Te Puke Rifle Club.

Good bunch of blokes, shoot out to 600.


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Originally Posted by Steve123

You wouldn't be able to help me out with a few questions about TECT? Does it get very crowded? Which DA branch runs it? Do you have to book? I'm moving to Rotorua soon and have heard good things about this place so wouldnt mind checking it out.

No problem, probably some guys on here who know a lot more though...
Bay of Plenty NZDA branch run it, open days are last Sunday of each month, from 9am to 3pm. I went in Feb, March and October. Was reasonably busy each time, but got to do all I wanted every time. I was there roughly 9:30am to 3pm two days and 9-12 on the third, shooting all or most of the time. If you have a lot of shooting to do be prepared to take a break for a while to give others a go. There are 15 firing stations, some benchrest some prone, more demand for the benchrest ones. You don't have to book, but you do need to take your FAL! Firearms should have a chamber flag in place when you arrive, which only comes out when the range officer says so. You can take along non-licensed people too, but you need to supervise them when they shoot (I think you need to within reach of the rifle).

As I understand it, members with a range key can use the range any day they wish.

Range – Bay of Plenty NZDA

Thank you for everyone's responses!

Originally Posted by NITRO

I hunt goats for curry frequently always happy for some company all private land so no cowboys. some times there are rabbits etc
And if you want to look into target shooting long range i just tracked down some folks here in Hamilton seem like really nice guys so could put you in touch 800-1000 mtr i think

@NITRO - I would definitely be keen to come along, the 300BLK is not quite complete yet, but I will be in touch!

Originally Posted by Brennos

Kiwi-Adam if your keen to head to one of the ranges out of town let me know, i'm in Nawton and keen to sight in and throw some lead down range, plus company car = free gas. I'm new to Hamilton and not yet a member of any clubs, however Rosetown Pistol club has a small outdoor range open to members most days from what I gather. I am heading to the indoor range in TA on monday with the intention of joining.

Friwi, is the LR range in Whatawhata associated with a club? always wanted to get into LR

@Brennos - I think we should check one of these ranges out. I might contact Tokaroa and find out when their next induction meeting is (have to attend this if you want to get a key cut), Also think that the local Hamilton Deer Stalkers might be a place to start! I would definitely be keen to give the TECT range a go, but is a we way to travel!

Originally Posted by Friwi

800-1000 yards . At whatawhata , certain Saturday afternoons along the year.

You can pm if interested but this no range for the 300 blackout.

@Friwi - I agree, think the 300 BLK would be struggling to be on paper at half that with Subs. - Unfortunate, because Whatawhata is close!

Originally Posted by Cigar

No problem, probably some guys on here who know a lot more though...
Bay of Plenty NZDA branch run it, open days are last Sunday of each month, from 9am to 3pm. I went in Feb, March and October. Was reasonably busy each time, but got to do all I wanted every time. I was there roughly 9:30am to 3pm two days and 9-12 on the third, shooting all or most of the time. If you have a lot of shooting to do be prepared to take a break for a while to give others a go. There are 15 firing stations, some benchrest some prone, more demand for the benchrest ones. You don't have to book, but you do need to take your FAL! Firearms should have a chamber flag in place when you arrive, which only comes out when the range officer says so. You can take along non-licensed people too, but you need to supervise them when they shoot (I think you need to within reach of the rifle).

As I understand it, members with a range key can use the range any day they wish.

Range – Bay of Plenty NZDA

@Cigar - Thank you for the extra information on the TECT range. I think I might have to check this one out once I am set up.

The Tokoroa complex is probable the cheapest to join you don't have to join a club just the Complex, PM your Email and I will forward the latest Newsletter