Thread: New to hunting/shooting

Hey everyone,

I have finally managed to get my FAL and a rifle to start my hunting journey.

I am going to start with the NZDA Hunts course to learn navigation, bush skills and tracking etc.

What I need to do now is become familiar with my rifle, learn to sight it in etc and actually practice shooting.

I’m in Hawke’s bay Napier/Hastings, does anyone know of a range that I could use while waiting to join NZDA?

Good on you. Welcome to the forum!!!

Nice, welcome mate

I can't help with the range, I'm at the wrong end of the country. But just wanted to say you are going about it the right way. I did a HUNTS course as a teenager in the early 90's, saved years of trial and error. Welcome to the forum, good luck with your hunting journey. Keep us posted on your progress!

I have a range at my place that a few Forum Members have used for siting in. I am at the wrong end of the country too, to help but what I would like to say is that of three newly licenced shooters have been out here, None of them have been trained in safe firearms handling correctly even though they have passed the licence tests. None of these three have been safe - all three made mistakes and not because they are not good intelligent blokes, not because are know-alls who didn't listen but because the licence training is deficient.
The training you had will be no different I'm guessing. Nothing replaces practical hands on safety training. Please make sure you soak it up

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

I have a range at my place that a few Forum Members have used for siting in. I am at the wrong end of the country too, to help but what I would like to say is that of three newly licenced shooters have been out here, None of them have been trained in safe firearms handling correctly even though they have passed the licence tests. None of these three have been safe - all three made mistakes and not because they are not good intelligent blokes, not because are know-alls who didn't listen but because the licence training is deficient.
The training you had will be no different I'm guessing. Nothing replaces practical hands on safety training. Please make sure you soak it up

From what I have read what your saying is correct. I think there needs to be more training before you can purchase your own firearm.

What I am doing to help my self is...

1) Reading the 7 rules every day.

2) Reading the arms act once a month.

3) As a beginner, handling my firearm (unloaded) as much as possible to become familiar and comfortable with it.

4) Watch safety videos, research incidents that I can learn from.

Apart from that there is not a lot more I can do until I can get on a range and possibly learn from others.

I take the safety seriously, I’m sure others do too but it’s something I pride my self on. I still have a lot to learn hence the reason for reaching out.

Good one and welcolme to the forum just remember you cant un shoot something getting familiar with your rifle is good then your not waiving it around all over the place while trying to figure out how to load it or how the safety works how to decock it etc

Welcome. You are well on track.

Hope you got a .22 to practice with before using a centerfire.

If not, I suggest you go looking for one.

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

Hope you got a .22 to practice with before using a centerfire.

If not, I suggest you go looking for one.

It’s not a .22. This is not my first time shooting and I have shot a range of rifles in the past. This is my first time doing it seriously not just having fun at the range. I could practice with a .22 but what’s the point if I intend on hunting with something else.

Originally Posted by ipv

It’s not a .22. This is not my first time shooting and I have shot a range of rifles in the past. This is my first time doing it seriously not just having fun at the range. I could practice with a .22 but what’s the point if I intend on hunting with something else.

Fair enough. I had thought you were a beginner.

Nonetheless, the principles of practice transfer from a 22 to a centerfire.

I occasionally go back to first principles with a 22 to relearn things I had forgotten or let slip.

Welcome to the forum ipv.

It’s still always good to practise with a .22. A hell of a lot cheaper!
I have .22 set ups either the same as my various centrefire rifles or very close.

For example, my Tikka T1x .22lr is very close to my Sako 75 centrefires in design, fit, trigger weight, scope brand, eye relief, cheek weld and length of pull.
Prior to 15 March, my CMMG .22lr AR15 was set up to allow cheap practise for my .223 and 6.5 AR15s. Zeroed to the same distance 100m and obviously same ergonomics.

Allows me to put hundreds or even into the thousands of rounds a year down range at minimal cost.

Listen to the guys on here, grab a .22 and practice lots. Its fun and you have everything to gain.

'Dunning-Kruger effect' you should be able to pin point yourself on this graph.

1. Dont wait for your NZDA membership to come through. Try and go on their activities as soon as you've paid the subs. Go to range days and club trips even if you haven't done the HUNTS course yet.

2. Try and build up your NZ bushcraft skills if you're not experienced already. See if theres a tramping club you can join or a mountain safety council course you can go on. Do a first aid course. 3/4 of hunting skills are being competent out in the Bush on your own.

3. Firearms safety is something you dont want to learn too much by experience. Some real basic knowledge of risk management and quality improvement principles will enable you to build up safe practice by careful observation, talking with other shooters and critical self evaluation . Look for " a hunters tale" online.

4. Its good to practice marksmanship skills with a 22. Not everyone can afford a RF/CF matched pair at first but even a cheaper norinco will help you build up performance. Dry firing with snap caps is also very good. Before hunting its ideal to test your CF at a few different distance like 10 25 100 200m which needs a range then you're good to go.

Ok makes sense. I’ll take that advice on board and look out for a .22. Any good cheap models that someone can surgest?