Thread: Bow Hunting permitting clarifications please.

Lol sounds like you had a bit of fun you should look into a reel for your bow you guys have a lot of carp up north that are free game and make great burly I am told.

As for hunting,

https://www.doc.govt.nz/map/index.html

Check out that link and switch on hunting areas feature.
There are two places you may hunt officially in this country, Private land with permission from owner (however they are happy for you to do so its open)
And on DOC approved hunting areas that they clearly define in the attached map as open hunting areas, you have already read their rules for Bows so that's easy.
Anywhere outside of these areas it is Illegal.
But the general public still think of bows as toys and sporting equipment so are generally not concerned at all but if you strike one that is concerned or someone of authority out side of these areas.
You will be in for bad times (Some sort of weapons charge)

Nearly forgot you need to apply for the DOC hunting permit to hunt conservation land, And Identify as a bow hunter, this is also mandatory, but its free and easy (Just tick every area in the country you may plan to hunt then you are covered for the year)

Thanks for that JD300

I've been an archer for years, but never considered hunting with a bow, if I was thinking about it form the point of view of what would be the best hunting tool that doesn't require a firearms license, then I'd be looking at a compound crossbow of some description.
Its going to be more accurate than a recurve or compound bow, more powerful, and shoots faster and flatter,
Shorter time of flight means less chance your target animal will take a step and get wounded rather than killed.

Its your dry land spear gun idea ��

Good luck navigating in the tight bush with a full drawn ready to shoot crossbow...if they were so much better, way more people would be using them...

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

I bet there's a few who would take your challenge about a crossbow being more accurate than a recurve or compound.

I bet your right, I've seen some incredible archers shoot robin hood's at 60m with compound bows, I know there's some very talented archers about, but if it's a question of which takes less practice I'll side with a crossbow over a compound,
If it's a question about which tool will challenge the hunter most, throw technology out the window and go for a traditional longbow,

As for the practical side of bow hunting in the bush, its not something I've ever tried, I wouldn't imagine you'd be walking about thick bush with any bow drawn ready to shoot.

My ancestors were victims of the clumberness of the crossbow at Azincourt. The speed of manipulation of the bow is still vastly superior to the crossbow even nowadays with the modern technology. The only exception would be that crazy German guy on YouTube with his Legolas crossbow.
I get your point that a novice with a cross bow in his hand will learn faster and be more proficient after shooting only a few dozen arrows compared to a beginners bowman.

But I can move in the bush reasonably well with an arrow engaged on the string of my bow, only to be removed if I have to pass through difficult terrain and re engaged as fast if I have to, the drawing being done fairly quickly after that.something you can not do with a crossbow.
I have owned and shot a basic crossbow quite a lot. And also played a bit with a compound one.
Unless you hunt in a reasonably open environment where you have spotted an animal at quite a distance, which gives you the time to draw as quietly as possible your crossbow ( have you heard the crancking mechanism of some of them? Shocking!) ,place an arrow in position and do a careful stalk to take your shot, I can't see a crossbow being superior to a bow .
No offence but Obviously you have hunted with neither and you are only offering your point of view as a target shooter.

Originally Posted by Friwi

My ancestors were victims of the clumberness of the crossbow at Azincourt. The speed of manipulation of the bow is still vastly superior to the crossbow even nowadays with the modern technology. The only exception would be that crazy German guy on YouTube with his Legolas crossbow.
I get your point that a novice with a cross bow in his hand will learn faster and be more proficient after shooting only a few dozen arrows compared to a beginners bowman.

But I can move in the bush reasonably well with an arrow engaged on the string of my bow, only to be removed if I have to pass through difficult terrain and re engaged as fast if I have to, the drawing being done fairly quickly after that.something you can not do with a crossbow.
I have owned and shot a basic crossbow quite a lot. And also played a bit with a compound one.
Unless you hunt in a reasonably open environment where you have spotted an animal at quite a distance, which gives you the time to draw as quietly as possible your crossbow ( have you heard the crancking mechanism of some of them? Shocking!) ,place an arrow in position and do a careful stalk to take your shot, I can't see a crossbow being superior to a bow .
No offence but Obviously you have hunted with neither and you are only offering your point of view as a target shooter.

it is illegal to move around in the bush with a cross bow that is loaded and ready to fire - due to the stored energy and risk of them going off if something fails. You can only put a bolt in place when you are ready to fire - you could have the string cocked with no bolt in place but if you follow the rules you are at a disadvantage. A bow you could have an arrow nocked as you stalk for as long as you like - and draw once ready to aim / shoot. My compound at 70lb has a very smooth and quiet draw and 80% let off to hold aim if needed.

I don't doubt the learning curve is a lot smaller for a crossbow - and those who have perhaps suffered injuries etc will find them much easier to use. Or for that matter any archer who cant readily draw 35lb+ and then take an aimed shot. Both have there pros and cons - obviously if you wanted the shortest learning curve you would be carrying a rifle