Thread: First Solo Hunt Coming Up

Originally Posted by Louie

I'm planning a day trip in the Kaimais this weekend. I'm thinking of parking at Ngamuwahine Lodge, heading up track to a place i'm comfortable getting off the beaten path.

This is my first mission on public land; i've got a toppo app, power bank and compass to help me from getting lost.

Any tips or info anyone can pass on to help prevent me from making a balls up of it?

I have a suggestion for your "topo app" and power bank.............. laminated NZ50 topo and compass will never fail or give wrong information, as long as you learn how to use them. GPS is useful to get grids and mark waypoints, actual GPS unit, not some phone thing ( that seems great until one day......). Useful training tip, take a notebook and pencil, write notes on your surroundings as you move through, comparing to your map and using your compass as you go, try backtracking yourself based on your notes - teaches you to observe and reduces your chances of getting lost.
NOTE: every one who has spent any time in deep bush has been lost at some point, I have been guilty of arguing with my compass because I didn't believe it, but they are never wrong.

If you get lost, your first priority is to sit down and get a brew on!

I second the PLB. Absolutely essential in my view.

When hunting have a round chambered and be ready to snap shoot,you’ll almost need to every time as a beginner as you’ll be spooking them 9/10 times.however as a beginner this advice is also dangerous so only do this if your brain is clear and your not pumped up!

Originally Posted by Yesmate

When hunting have a round chambered and be ready to snap shoot,you’ll almost need to every time as a beginner as you’ll be spooking them 9/10 times.however as a beginner this advice is also dangerous so only do this if your brain is clear and your not pumped up!

You trying to get someone killed?

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

You trying to get someone killed?

Something killed?yep.

Originally Posted by Yesmate

Something killed?yep.

Beginner, amped, round in, finger in trigger well -something in front of him moves in cover, bang.......... oh wait, what was that?

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

Beginner, amped, round in, finger in trigger well -something in front of him moves in cover, bang.......... oh wait, what was that?

And then there is Dummer...he was no beginner.

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

Beginner, amped, round in, finger in trigger well -something in front of him moves in cover, bang.......... oh wait, what was that?

Yea I don’t recommend shooting into cover at movement but who does?The guy wants to bag a deer and if he’s bush stalking his best chance of getting one and learning a whole lot to boot is, he’s gonna want his gun ready to shoot ASAP and that means one chambered,if he’s comfortable hunting that way.

Originally Posted by 257weatherby

You trying to get someone killed?

No more so than those seeking deer on the walking tracks....scary bastards.

ive given this advice countless times but if you go up te tuhi to just about the creek and bushedge then follow the open tongue up onto the flat top,,then hunt south sticking close to the dropoff or zigzag 200 mtrs thru,,at some stage youll run into the hut,,youve gone too far and not payed att enough,,just walk out north along track and do a loop to come out at the point that youve left the track that morning,,the wairere falls is a good area too,,seen a few deer on the north south track so go slow

Phone and power bank are all good. I don't take my Garmin gps any more. Phone with gps AND Flonase is far superior.
Definitely take a compass and laminated map though.

Bush hunting. Yup. Round chambered, safety on.

Who said finger in the trigger well?
Point your firearm in a safe direction.
Identify your target.

The reality of bush hunting is that at any moment you can see a deer. They are usually that close that if you had to load your rifle they would be gone.
Do you do much bush hunting? How do you do it?

Don't spook and shoot. The risk of shooting someone else or wounding the deer is not worth the chance you may lead it correctly and get it.

Identify your target.

Nothing wrong with a chambered round and safety on. It is better than half cock or at least no difference.


You'll be surprised how effective your hunt can be if you have a stop. Look, listen, smell and look for horizontal lines and movement.

Deer can be noisy if they feel safe.

Off course there is no need for the firearm to be "armed & dangerous" until well clear of the "beaten path", cos having read your DoC permit (of course you have one" you would have seen that you must not discharge your firearm in the vicinity of the track (along with other places)...not that I have ever seen "vicinity" defined...if it was a Great Walks Track (which it isn't) it is clearly defined as 500 metres...all typed with TFIC