Nkwe

Yes, hello, weird name right? It means "leopard" where I'm from and I haven't adopted something more local. Yet.

I grew up on a farm in what is now the Limpopo Province of South Africa. It would be fair to say I grew up hunting, even that I'm an experienced hunter. I still don't know anything about hunting in New Zealand so in that sense I'm a total newbie too. Given that I've shot some IDPA and 3Gun I guess we can agree I know firearms well enough but need to start learning hunting again.

Moved here about two years ago now, finally got my licence card this past week. (It's taken a wee while, post Christchurch and all). A broken ankle last year and lockdown this year meant I didn't put out feelers earlier but I really, really miss hunting. Working in Auckland (yeah, I know, I know) doesn't really help in yearning less for the call of nature.

Discovered the forum earlier today while trying to figure out if I need to pay a fee for firearm import permit. Yes, probably cheaper and less hassle to just buy again locally but the market to sell firearms in South Africa sucks at the moment, two of the rifles are fairly unique which won't help and then we can throw in some sentimental stuff.

Rifles I'm trying to bring in are my custom 404 Jeffery, a circa 1913 7x57 Mauser with semi-octagonal barrel plus some engraving and a Brno 30-06. Depending on costs, the last rifle may not make the journey here.

Keen to investigate the Big Bore shooting event I've seen mentioned, learn more about hunting here, possibly make some hunting mates (I don't even know how to "start hunting" here, the setup seems quite different). Also trying to find a shooting range north of Auckland, best I have so far is to get in touch with Deerstalkers. Maybe I should trust the advice of random strangers, gun loving bunch as they are, above that of Google? That's why I'm here!

Welkom! Where I'm from, it's iNgwe...

Welcome

A 30-06 is more than enough to take NZ game, a 270/308/7mm-o8 is fine too

You could find your local deerstalkers and join, there's usually a range with each branch

Also there are a few books by guys called Lentle and Saxton about Red Deer hunting and general hunting that are NZ specific - you can usually get a copy second hand on Trade Me

Here ya go
https://www.trademe.co.nz/books/nonf...e821b346c3-001
I haven't read the alpine one but their other ones are good
https://www.trademe.co.nz/books/nonf...e821b346c3-001

Cheers

308

Welcome to the forum.
If you should struggle to import that brno 30/06 I know where one is in good hunting condition.

Greetings :thumbsup:

Welcome :D

Welcome.

Thanks all. Been stalking the forum a bit to learn, possibly visit AKL Deerstalkers' range next weekend.