Thread: What’s in your hunting machine toolbox?

Hi all
I’ve found over the years that the best tools you can have in your toolbox to deal with a challenge are ones that you “borrowed” from someone else and have modified to do the job you need to achieve.

On that note I am setting up a side by side (let’s leave the discussion on whether can am, polaris, Honda or Yamaha are best for later) and I am looking for ideas on what lighting forum members have found works best and where to put it. Also what gun racks/holders or rests you have found to work or adapted to work. Any other ideas welcome.

I’ve looked at the ready to go Chinese made hunting accessory takeaways available on line and am convinced that there are kiwi hunters out there have either made their own, or got the not so cheap takeaways to work better. Most of the shooting will be bunnies and wallabies, but have picked up a pig in the past that showed a lack of respect for what other firepower we had on board.

All photos and ideas welcome, my machine is in my workshop and I’ll post some photos when done, although I suspect it will be a project that never ends.
Cheers

Originally Posted by Harry Horsesense

Hi all
I’ve found over the years that the best tools you can have in your toolbox to deal with a challenge are ones that you “borrowed” from someone else and have modified to do the job you need to achieve.

On that note I am setting up a side by side (let’s leave the discussion on whether can am, polaris, Honda or Yamaha are best for later) and I am looking for ideas on what lighting forum members have found works best and where to put it. Also what gun racks/holders or rests you have found to work or adapted to work. Any other ideas welcome.

I’ve looked at the ready to go Chinese made hunting accessory takeaways available on line and am convinced that there are kiwi hunters out there have either made their own, or got the not so cheap takeaways to work better. Most of the shooting will be bunnies and wallabies, but have picked up a pig in the past that showed a lack of respect for what other firepower we had on board.

All photos and ideas welcome, my machine is in my workshop and I’ll post some photos when done, although I suspect it will be a project that never ends.
Cheers

cable ties - various sizes - and get good ones - from say 6 inch long up to some big 18 inch heavy duty ones - always handy - here's a tip our hay silage rakes at work only have 3 sizes of nuts and bolts on them so in my tractor tool bag I only carry those sizes in spanners and sockets plus a pair vice grips and a big metre long strong bar - why carry a whole bloody socket set and vast range of spanners when I only need 3 sizes - so have a look at side by side and see what sizes are on it -may only be 3-4 - 10 metre of good quality 3mm nylon rope - again get quality not the real plastic kind - something to put air in tires- one of my bike mates wired a small air compressor under his motor cycle seat - used it to blow up his air mattress - guess what he was popular

In my front box I have a spare sparkplug and fuses in a waterproof container, I have two screwdrivers, and a few spanners, cable ties and a couple of small hose clamps, aerosol tyre inflator and a small fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. A hatchet, hand saw and a small spade. Light rope and two heavy pegs.
Under the seat there is a small tow rope/tree trunk protector and shackle to use with the winch along with a tyre plug repair kit.

Old man's setup, commercial shooter. Ferocious boar slaying chihuahua is optional

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Old man's setup, commercial shooter. Ferocious boar slaying chihuahua is optional
Attachment 223165
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furious boar slayer chihuahua- actually will it blood track at all or indicate - we used to get our little mob of 5 sheep in with a mini dachshund - knew exactly what to do - or does that one just look cute

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

furious boar slayer chihuahua- actually will it blood track at all or indicate - we used to get our little mob of 5 sheep in with a mini dachshund - knew exactly what to do - or does that one just look cute

He's a little asshole, hates everyone, will bite you.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

He's a little asshole, hates everyone, will bite you.

ahhh so has a use then bloody good

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

He's a little asshole, hates everyone, will bite you.

That's because he is a chihuahua. Pronounced chee Hua Hua.
If big dogs had their attitude they would all be put down lol

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Old man's setup, commercial shooter. Ferocious boar slaying chihuahua is optional
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Im just impressed that he backs up the 'nickle spinner' with the fly rod

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@ Ryan-Songhurst That's a neat setup, just the kind of "Shooters tools" I was looking for. The twin gunrack looks like a multi purpose carrier come shooters rest in one. With only two hands (given the Chihuahua's grin tells me he is the real CEO of the operation and his hands on input is only limited to what suits him on the day) you really need to be inventive. Any picks of his lighting/spot lighting setup?
Cheers

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Old man's setup, commercial shooter. Ferocious boar slaying chihuahua is optional
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Oh...Dear Ryan. Is that a farm dog on the seat?

Originally Posted by Black Rabbit

Oh...Dear Ryan. Is that a farm dog on the seat?

He's actually quite an adventurous little fella he's been places you're average pavement pounder Labrador could only dream of. Seen tonnes of deer, pigs, wallabies, tahr, hares, rabbits, possums and a fair few giant trout and salmon, rode on Side by sides and quads, flown in helicopters and been on many a ridgeline with those little legs of his.

No spare tyre is always a biggie on SxS in remote country, so take stuff to fix punctures. Dog turd sticky ropes and a pump are good, but if you slash the tyre on sharp rocks they may not be enough. Monster cable ties (10mm x 800mm) will keep the tyre on the rim, and tussock to fill the tyre with will get you home...slowly.

This is very cute Ryan! The old man must be a very happy old man

I usually have an OSM bar maybe an apple, some spare ammo, firelighting gear,plb, spare knife in the bumbag or pack.