Thread: Best realistic walk ins for Auckland hunters?

Its been 25 years, still getting my gear sorted, hoping to find mature tea tottler mates like me to hunt with. I spearfish a lot so have something to trade ha.

Anyway, what is the best REGULAR walk in for Aucklanders, south of Taupo? Any tips of ranges not too hard to walk into that definitely hold dear year round? If its going to feed me for a long time I dont mind a long drive, if its worth it.

How much is a fly in price usually? Im trying to keep this low cost and about hunter gatherer.

Im not familiar with any deer spots in the far north but thats where I plan to retire in 15 years. Either that or Marlborough region as I enjoy gold prospecting.

Id rather not have to fly in, as with my spearing and kina, scallop gathering I want this to be about the hunter gatherer LEGIT lifestyle. Once out of our apartment I will get a chicken coup too.

You certainly have a lot of walk in options in the Rotorua - Taupo / central north island area with a number of different game animal species. My suggestion would be to invest some time into reading the Mark Draper - Mark Airey book Spot X. I have a copy of the second edition that you are welcome to have for a cup of coffee.

South of Taupo, I would say Clements Road, but then if I was Auckland based I would hunt the Kaimai's...as for fly in, too expensive if meat hunting.

Would any other option by to come down to Wang's and pay a $100 per deer to get a wild deer on a farm to get back into hunting, even flying you still mite not get on to then yet alone geting one.

Originally Posted by hunt08

Would any other option by to come down to Wang's and pay a $100 per deer to get a wild deer on a farm to get back into hunting, even flying you still mite not get on to then yet alone geting one.

That is way cheaper than flying in...but I do enjoy the whole fly in thing.

Originally Posted by Land2Sea

Its been 25 years, still getting my gear sorted, hoping to find mature tea tottler mates like me to hunt with. I spearfish a lot so have something to trade ha.

Anyway, what is the best REGULAR walk in for Aucklanders, south of Taupo? Any tips of ranges not too hard to walk into that definitely hold dear year round? If its going to feed me for a long time I dont mind a long drive, if its worth it.

How much is a fly in price usually? Im trying to keep this low cost and about hunter gatherer.

Im not familiar with any deer spots in the far north but thats where I plan to retire in 15 years. Either that or Marlborough region as I enjoy gold prospecting.

Id rather not have to fly in, as with my spearing and kina, scallop gathering I want this to be about the hunter gatherer LEGIT lifestyle. Once out of our apartment I will get a chicken coup too.

If you are living in Auckland - forget low cost...Head to Marlborough for retirement - plenty more hunter-gatherer opportunities and less "Aucklander or ex-Aucklander types." Anytime you have to travel for 5 hours (just to get out of Auckland on a long-weekend sometimes) it's no longer purely cost-driven.

Originally Posted by Nickoli

If you are living in Auckland - forget low cost...Head to Marlborough for retirement - plenty more hunter-gatherer opportunities and less "Aucklander or ex-Aucklander types." Anytime you have to travel for 5 hours (just to get out of Auckland on a long-weekend sometimes) it's no longer purely cost-driven.

This is what I found.......

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

South of Taupo, I would say Clements Road, but then if I was Auckland based I would hunt the Kaimai's...as for fly in, too expensive if meat hunting.

If you genuinely want/need meat, flying isnt a bad option, Venison schedule at works currently sitting at about $10-$12/kg (Schedule is bone-in, "on the hook" prices) translate that to end consumer prices and youre looking at $30 easy, fly in and come out with 30kg of meat..... plus you get the experience of some time in the hills which in my view is priceless

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

If you genuinely want/need meat, flying isnt a bad option, Venison schedule at works currently sitting at about $10-$12/kg (Schedule is bone-in, "on the hook" prices) translate that to end consumer prices and youre looking at $30 easy, fly in and come out with 30kg of meat..... plus you get the experience of some time in the hills which in my view is priceless

If I spent less time supping this and more time hunting




But we were flying in style so why not

Reading with interest. I have a 2.5 hour drive to get to Auckland before I even think about hunting spots. Having thought about it a bit, fly in makes so much sense for me given time limitations.

Originally Posted by MB

Reading with interest. I have a 2.5 hour drive to get to Auckland before I even think about hunting spots. Having thought about it a bit, fly in makes so much sense for me given time limitations.

"Time limitations" go out the window if the fly boys cant come and get you due to weather, I have spent the odd day or two waiting for the plane or chopper.

A meat hunt is not a bad option. Using a tank of gas anyway driving half way down the island, this way at least you know you are going to come home with meat for couple hundred extra dollars.
The joys of living in the big smoke

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

If you genuinely want/need meat, flying isnt a bad option, Venison schedule at works currently sitting at about $10-$12/kg (Schedule is bone-in, "on the hook" prices) translate that to end consumer prices and youre looking at $30 easy, fly in and come out with 30kg of meat..... plus you get the experience of some time in the hills which in my view is priceless

I always reckoned venison cost me about $300 a pound, what with multiple rifles, practice ammo, a dog and all it's costs, 4x4 to look the part, fixed and rotary wing costs, the clothing, the list goes on.

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

"Time limitations" go out the window if the fly boys cant come and get you due to weather, I have spent the odd day or two waiting for the plane or chopper.

Well, if I'm stuck up a mountain somewhere, there's not much I can do about it. Work will have to suck it up

Originally Posted by MB

Well, if I'm stuck up a mountain somewhere, there's not much I can do about it. Work will have to suck it up

"Work" can be very non understanding when one does not show up, and don't always think you can just phone in...the best hunting is outside of cell phone coverage.