Thread: Goat hunting for free north island??

HI all I'm new to this and I have recently purchased a crossbow. I am wanting to try a bit of goat hunting to start with as I am a complete newbie. If anyone knows of anywhere I can hunt goats for free preferably in the north island that would be much appreciated. I am based in Auckland but I'm happy to travel.

Welcome.

I've heard there's a bunch up waitawheta river.

Don't forget to look up 😉

Welcome to the site.
DOC site has info to point you in the right basic direction, but get your feet on the ground and start searching.
Stretch has created a map that is very useful too, sometime hard to access but here is a link to his thread
http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...47/index5.html

Thanks.. I really am a newbie. Do I need a doc permit or permission? Do you just park up and walk in the bush? Thanks

Thanks. I couldn't seem to access the map.

Originally Posted by Bradak

Thanks.. I really am a newbie. Do I need a doc permit or permission? Do you just park up and walk in the bush? Thanks

You need a permit, you can get it online.
huntingpermits.doc.govt.nz/huntingpermits

Please be careful, I'm quite a newbie myself but I can offer you some advice.
study the area.
Alway be prepared for the worst.
Don't take unnecessary risks.
Never leave you compass and maps at home.

Originally Posted by SlowElliot

Please be careful, I'm quite a newbie myself but I can offer you some advice.
study the area.
Alway be prepared for the worst.
Don't take unnecessary risks.
Never leave you compass and maps at home.

And..... tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back!!

Thanks for the advice. I will define try do my homework and be well equipped.

And like Slow Elliot, keep your ears and eyes open, and your mouth shut. A lot more information will keep coming



Sure ask questions, but don't tell us how it's done

If you're new to hunting and are going into unfamiliar areas, it's also a good idea to make a quick map with some basic info on it about where you're planning to go, rough area you'll be in, and email it to a buddy. Making a print of your boots also really helps SAR to figure out if they've found your tracks or someone else's. Can be as simple as getting the tread of your boot damp, putting some dust on it and stepping on a piece of paper. Leave that at home with the rest of your info or scan it and include it with your hunt plan. Seems a bit extreme but it really does help if it comes down to crews heading out to help find you.

Originally Posted by canross

If you're new to hunting and are going into unfamiliar areas, it's also a good idea to make a quick map with some basic info on it about where you're planning to go, rough area you'll be in, and email it to a buddy. Making a print of your boots also really helps SAR to figure out if they've found your tracks or someone else's. Can be as simple as getting the tread of your boot damp, putting some dust on it and stepping on a piece of paper. Leave that at home with the rest of your info or scan it and include it with your hunt plan. Seems a bit extreme but it really does help if it comes down to crews heading out to help find you.

That's a great idea about the boots.
I'm going to do that.
And yes always leave a map of your intentions.

I never thought about it, but that seems like a major upside to having size 16 feet. Now if only people made hiking boots this big...

Originally Posted by Solo

I never thought about it, but that seems like a major upside to having size 16 feet. Now if only people made hiking boots this big...

You know what they say about people with big feet.....


They have big socks

I would hope that whoever sold you the crossbow made you aware that there are minimum requirements that need to be met before it can be used on DOC land
Bow and cross bow hunting: Permits and licences
Here's the page with info about getting your permit. It's as simple as filling in the online form and hit send. Permit comes in an email straight away.
Hunting permit: Permits and licences
I've read that Matawai conservation area (6 hrs drive from AKL) has a few goats.
The cullers are going through Pirongia (2hrs from AKL) at the moment according to DOC website.