Thread: Where to hunt when wanting to consistently fill a LARGE Meat locker/freeza from Auck?

Originally Posted by Chur Bay

But seriously. The King Country has loads of goats. On private land though so you would need to do some door knocking.
As far as Deer are concerned if you have to ask then you probably aren't skilled enough. Put in the hard yards though and you will eventually have regular success. Pureora, Kaimais and Te Urewera are worth a look. Just don't expect to shoot something first trip.

Actually what are the general rules behind door knocking etiquette? Like what times of the day, how to approach with the topic of hunting, and what to offer, etc. the closest I’ve been comfortable with door knocking is asking friends at work if they know someone with farmland. Been too nervous to actually randomly drive up someone’s driveway and ask a stranger if they have animals I can shoot. hunting native public land is a lot more fun and challenging for the sport side of things but sometimes it’s nice to just get meat from a friends house and offer some drinks or other treats as thanks.

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

Actually what are the general rules behind door knocking etiquette? Like what times of the day, how to approach with the topic of hunting, and what to offer, etc. the closest I’ve been comfortable with door knocking is asking friends at work if they know someone with farmland. Been too nervous to actually randomly drive up someone’s driveway and ask a stranger if they have animals I can shoot. hunting native public land is a lot more fun and challenging for the sport side of things but sometimes it’s nice to just get meat from a friends house and offer some drinks or other treats as thanks.

That's an incredibly good question. As a land owner with a sporadic deer problem I hate to say I would probably still say 'no' straight away to any unknown person seeking hunting rights. There are so many possible things that could go wrong with unknown shooters on private land, and there are liability issue for landowners that need to be taken seriously, as well as issues over liability if something goes wrong with neighbours.

I have found it is very difficult to guage how reliable someone might be untill I see them handling firearms. People who appear highly credible might be incredibly negligent with firearms, and I know some rough looking buggers most people would not trust to look after their spare change who are the most sensible, safe and reliable people around. In my case I don't let anyone shoot here without observing them shooting first.

You're probably on the right track seeking hunting farmland through a mutual friend.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

There are so many possible things that could go wrong with unknown shooters on private land, and there are liability issue for landowners that need to be taken seriously, as well as issues over liability if something goes wrong with neighbours.

Nobody would blame you either. Im presuming word of mouth is how you get people on yours?

I found overseas liability was the main reason people were not so keen, even on well presented people of mutual friends. Im not sure how it runs in NZ, but being a business does a farm have liability for anybody on the property or only if they are working for paid money on the property?

Originally Posted by GoatHead

does a farm have liability for anybody on the property or only if they are working for paid money on the property?

Yes we are technically liable for everyone, even bad buggers trying to steal stuff. There have been some strong conversations here before I've allowed regional council and farm forestry field days, ultimately I am responsible but it's likely if it came to a court case logic would win. We're supposed to point out every possible danger. One field day I deliberately made up a stupid hazard list including things like tripping over snails, meteor strikes and zombie attack just to make a point. I make jokes about tripping over snails but it's less stupid than it sounds, 20 odd years ago a local guy here slipped in the mud one cold wet winter day, fell and hit his head hard enough to lose consciousness and drowned in a very shallow puddle.