Thread: Camo or not to Camo? Gear recommendations?

Hi Guys,

I am planning on coming over to NZ to do a hunt mostly on the North Island, planning to be out in the bush for a week or so and been looking at good quality gear to keep me warm and dry. Hunting gear here in the UK is good stuff but I have been looking at NZ gear like Hunters Element and Stoney Creek, particularly Hunters Element with their Desolve camo gear. It looks good stuff and worth the money but is camo essential in NZ? I very rarely use it here in the UK, but the terrain in NZ seems more open where camo may be useful. Any recommendations?

The other gear I have been looking at is a good quality pack to fit all my gear in and be rugged enough to last so far I have picked a Wisport Reindeer 55l (you may not have them in NZ). They seem a good pack and enough capacity for what I need. Will be taking a two man tent, sleeping bag, small camping stove, small gas bottle x 2, first aid kit of some sort, spare waterproof jacket, mid layers x 2 jacket and trousers, spare waterproof trousers, few pairs of thick socks, binoculars 10x42, ammo x 40 rounds (encase need to zero after a knock), rifle cleaning kit, dehydrated food packs, 2.5 lite camelbak, 3 Mora knives, sharpening stone of some sort and I can't really think what else I would need... Here in the Uk a hunt is just pop out in the morning for a few hours and then head home. No idea on what kit I do need or what I don't. Any thoughts?

On rifles, here in the UK I use varmint contour barrels due to the number of deer I shoot in quick succession but I can imagine the long hill walk weight but be the main factor to consider. Any recommendations on rifles for long hunts up in the mountains? I am looking at getting one in .300 win mag to make sure I have the power for what ever I come across. Maybe its overkill. I only use a .243 or .270 here and shoot deer at no further than 300m (most either 100m or under). Whats the norm shot range in NZ?

Thanks

Tom