Thread: DOC land - The real Hunters bragging rights?

If you pursue animals you are a hunter, in fighting in any pursuit or hobby is just dumb, but it happens a lot for whatever reason. I hunt both and the main thing you'll find is the longer you hunt public land the bigger data base you build on where to go and where not to go, public land is more about the adventure and private is good for filling the freezer. 🤙🏻

Originally Posted by Mrfants

As I get more into hunting, it becomes obvious to me, that there are two types of hunters. Those that hunt and get animals on Doc land and those that have access to farm/private land, for their successful kills.

When I started hunting around 18 months ago, I saw so many hunters showing photos of multiple deer hunted and bagged in an evening, let alone a 2-3 day trip.

One guy I know (3 guys hunted in total), had 7 deer gutted and on the back of their utes within 5 hours. I thought this looks great!

As I plod through acres and acres of Doc land without seeing so much as a single animal, I now realise that the reality is a lot different.

I’m not against people getting easy access to game on private or farmers land whatsoever. I think it’s fantastic. But is there a case to be made that someone who can hunt successfully and get their meat on Doc land are really the true hunters?

I know this is different depending on where you’re located in the country, however from talking to a lot of other hunters, it just doesn’t seem as easy as what I thought it was going to be.

Things like Helicopter Culls and 1080 drops seem to be wiping out a lot of deer, at least in the areas that I normally Hunt.

What are others thoughts and experiences on this? I’m not trying to create any derisiveness about hunting on different types of land, but it sure would be good to at least see an animal let alone shoot one on Doc land!

Ps - Am absolutely loving hunting and will continue my strolls through the barren lands ever hoping to spot at least a rabbit …

I don't think you can call anyone a 'true hunter' over another hunter. I agree in the sense that after experiencing both types of hunting, private is far easier than public land hunting. For that reason I find public land far more rewarding and where I spend 99% of my time.

That doesn't take away from guys on private land though. They are also out there doing the same thing as us at the end of the day. Chasing some meat for the freezer, and maybe a nice head to take home.

I do find that I am far more interested in others stories of success when they involve public land. I think its because its something that anyone in NZ can access if they wanted. Nothing is holding anyone back from hunting the same areas I do for example.
But once again this is a personal preference. People hunt for different reasons. Where they hunt doesn't define a 'true hunter'.

Originally Posted by Mrfants

Around Craigieburn, Mingha-Deception, St James (South Island central area for others info). Did go to Molesworth and saw several deer but that was very deep in and on a Ballot block.


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You're hunting the right areas. Keep at it. You'll get one. I will say that Craigieburn, Mingha-Deception can be very isolated pickings and then all of a sudden, a gully with a dozen in it. You might spend a fair bit of time in these areas without seeing much while you learn the country. I shot a nice 12 near enough to this, last March, in country that is routinely 1080'd so they are still there

Originally Posted by Sika 8

The thing i like about shooting public land is that its available to everyone anytime, all it costs is a bit of effort and a lot of sweat.

And if you happen to shoot something you're proud of it's compounded by the thought that this animal has managed to survive freezing winters, drought, waro, 1080 drops, and of course other hunters!

This is exactly how I compare the two. Hunting on public land is something anyone can do. Theres nothing stopping anyone else having the same success as someone else apart from time and effort.

@Mrfants I've shot a grand total of 2 deer in 2 1/2 years, 1 on a farm and 1 in the bush.
I got really excited by the doc deer. I thought "now I'm a real hunter". But that was the adrenaline talking. I went from seeing nothing for months, to seeing 3 and shooting 1. I've not seen anything for 9 months since t that first doc deer, and that's going out most weekends. My conclusion is that I got lucky once, and I need to hunt different areas.

I love hunting, but not so good at finding! But I enjoy being in the bush, it's my happy place, so my lack of success isn't getting me down.

Take the pressure off yourself - Let go of the need to get something and enjoy your time in the bush. It worked for me.

Oh, and go after goats a bit. They're pretty easy and teach you butchery skills for when you land that elusive first



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Originally Posted by Dingo

I do find that I am far more interested in others stories of success when they involve public land.

Thats excatly what I meant.

80/20 rules applies in my experience.


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Originally Posted by Tentman

Haha, same here but early 80s, headed to Knobs Flat to help with a working bee, overshot the Flat abit and had to stop in the bush there for a pee. Shot a hind still in my town shoes after having to back to the truck for a rifle. Meanwhile back at the camp the boys were fuming cause a chopper boys had a dump pile for the freezer truck on the other side of the road. One of the few deer I've shot in the bush!

Haha so funny , on a long weekend my mate Colin and I drove up to Knobs Flat hut after a wedding and in the morning headed along in the direction of Guns camp . The first rocky slip from the hut he bold over a nice hind and we where both
in our wedding suits , dragged it down the slip and drove the car to it and away home .

Originally Posted by Tahr

@XR500 I worked at Tisdalls after school and during the holidays for 2 years. Jim took me under his wing. Took me hunting in the Ruahines (Pari and Rangi). Took me to the tramping club and on club trips. Huge influence

@Thar, yes. Jim was the President of the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing club when I met him. Our family joined the club when we met him and stayed part of it for a couple of decades. He ran great bushcraft courses every year. Was always a mine of information. And was pretty fit for his age. Mind you I think he had always been a racing sardine Bought my first rifle from him when I turned 16.

Guns camp=pouring rain and sandflys decades ago.Bloody rain nearlly stripped the paint off my old Humber Hawk.

Originally Posted by XR500

@Thar, yes. Jim was the President of the Manawatu Tramping and Skiing club when I met him. Our family joined the club when we met him and stayed part of it for a couple of decades. He ran great bushcraft courses every year. Was always a mine of information. And was pretty fit for his age. Mind you I think he had always been a racing sardine Bought my first rifle from him when I turned 16.

@XR500 I recall Jim suffered from quite bad asthma. I wonder what happened to his BSA Hunter 7mm. The first gun I fired at a deer (missed). I still have an illustration he drew for me of how to get back steaks out.
When Jim took me to the Pari he said "I want you to forget where Ive taken you". He needn't have worried 'cos I didn't have a clue where we were or how we got there. About 10 years later I was living at Mangaweka and meat hunting in the Ruahines and went up the Pari and recognised it as where Jim had taken me. So it became a bit of a special place where I hunted quite a bit.

Whether it's private land or public land, each have their own charms and challenges. Private land you enjoy a special privilege and maybe there are more animals and they're a bit on the naive side. There can be too many animals which means you get spoiled for choice or you spook one and it alerts all the other animals. Doc land gives you a real wilderness experience I feel even in a 300 hectare block. You see and hear loads of other cool stuff on DOC land: historic sites and huts, unique plants and animals. Then of course the challenge of fewer and spookier deer or having to go the extra mile for spot x.