Thread: Shooting but not necessarily hunting

Hello all!

I would like to take up shooting and want to get a perspective on the attitudes towards shooting here in NZ, as I am not originally from here.

I want to shoot but not necessarily hunt, though I might get into hunting at a later stage. Say I just wanted to go out and shoot a rifle for fun, what's the attitude towards this kind of activity? Where can I go shoot a rifle? Does it have to be on DOC approved hunting land, and do I need a hunting permit to shoot, even if I'm not hunting?

How strict are the laws here? Say I bought a rifle then went out into the country, set up some targets and did some shooting, is this ok? I live in Otago so there's plenty wide open country.

The only resources I can find on the web regarding shooting are indoor competitive target shooting websites and hunting websites, but nothing about just shooting for the simple pleasure of firing guns.

Any advice or opinions are appreciated!

Welcome to the forum vinceblack. you are bound to get lots of good advice on here. You would be wise to have a hunting permit if in possession of a rifle on DoC land as in my opinion you could likely have difficulty convincing a DoC ranger that the rifle was not for hunting with and for the ease of getting the permit why have the hassle.

Agreed!

Is DoC land the only land I can shoot on? Can I shoot on any public land not classed as a DoC conservation area (within the bounds of the law ie away from roads and dwellings etc)?

Is the concept of just shooting guns for fun frowned upon here or is the privilege to own firearms enjoyed fairly openly?

You can shoot on private land if you have permission. If you just want to target shoot your local NZDA branch might be a good place to start. Most of the local NZDA branches run an active range calendar. Target shoot on DOC Land will definately require you to get a FREE ONLINE PERMIT

Plinking on DOC land is likely to be considered a "nuisance" certainly by any hunters in the area, and quite likely to upset trampers etc also. Save plinking for a designated range, or private land. As suggested, consider joining your local NZDA branch, or even a smallbore club if 50m prone floats your boat.

But what about public land that isn't DoC conservation land? Or is all public land DoC land?

I probably will join the NZDA for the convenience of range shooting, I just want to fully understand where I can and can't shoot

really not a good idea to go plinking on any public land, DOC or otherwise. very fast way to give the shooting community a bad name, and quite possibly meet your local armed offender squad...

if you just want to plink, and maybe do the occasional competition, then join your local NZDA, and shoot at their range

or, find suitable private land where you can shoot with permission. most lifestyle and semi-rural areas seem to be ok shooting subsonic 22 with a can (with permission of course).

speak to your local council, they usually have a list of all the sports clubs in the area.

most of the clubs allow you to have a go and see if you enjoy that particular discipline

have a go and see what you like

smallbore target (good for winter, a lot of the 25m ranges are indoor)
pistol
blackpowder
clay target in all its different forms
NZDA shoots
NRA fullbore

Try the NRA they just do shooting , with out the hunting side .

Do you have a firearms licence? Welcome to the forum too.

I don't yet have my licence but see no reason I'd be refused, although it's possible I guess.

Thanks for the input so far, it's good to get an idea of general attitudes towards shooting etc. Don't want to piss anyone off so it's nice to hear varying opinions on the subject.

I used to shoot with the Air Training Corps back in the UK and I've just recently found out how liberal the gun laws here are. Would like to take advantage of this but also not tarnish the good name of gun owners.

I'd say ask a farmer around the area if you could shoot some targets on his land or like everyone else said use a range.

Just use common sense. Find a wide open area that is relatively isolated and have fun. We have an awesome local spot on PCL where we can go shooting for fun. Been doing it for years and never had any trouble. The only people that ever bump into us are the occasional trail rider or four wheel driver.

I agree beavis. We shoot targets semi long range its just a bit of commen sence. Cut over is good if you can find it permits are needed to have a firearm on public land regardless if hunting or not.

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Originally Posted by Beavis

Just use common sense. Find a wide open area that is relatively isolated and have fun. We have an awesome local spot on PCL where we can go shooting for fun. Been doing it for years and never had any trouble. The only people that ever bump into us are the occasional trail rider or four wheel driver.

That's what I want to hear, a common sense rule is a good rule I think!

That said, does anyone familiar with the Wakatipu area know of any good out-of-the-way spots they can recommend for a bit of shooting?