Every year, thousands of Kiwi hunters head into bush, up hills and across ridge lines.
Check out our tips and resources to keep on top of your trip planning and fitness so you can set yourself up for a safe and successful hunt, whatever the season. Without quality training and preparation, hunters can sustain severe injuries with potentially long-lasting consequences.
Make a Plan and Hunt the Plan
Even a quick plan will help you have a successful hunt.
Research your hunting area by looking at maps
Keep up-to-date with the weather forecast
Communicate the plan with your mates
Share your learnings with the hunting community
Prepare for Your Hunt
What you take with you will make all the difference if something were to go wrong such as getting lost, delayed or injured. You’ll also need permission or a DOC permit to hunt on the land and a current NZ firearms licence Download our printable gear list or create your own custom gear list on Plan My Walk Whether you’re doing a local hunt or backcountry adventure, every hunt has its own risks. Carefully consider what to expect and choose a route that suits everyone in your group. Always share your trip plan with a trusted person so someone knows where you’re going and when you’ll be back. Plan My Walk is a great tool for building a complete trip plan and route, and then sharing it. Every hunt is unique, so fitness requirements depend on hunting goals, location, access, transport, group size and more. For winter, you'll need warmer kit. Along with the trip essentials, take: Consider how the freezing temperatures overnight will affect the terrain, for example rockfalls, scree, slips and snow grass, on your walk in or out. Spring brings longer days and warmer temperatures, but don’t be fooled. Not only is the weather unreliable, spring hits differently in the mountains. Even on a sunny spring day, pack the full kit, especially in the hills where you could still encounter wintery conditions. Be prepared for cold temperatures, rain and wind as well as snow and avalanches if you’re venturing into alpine terrain. If you’re going into the alpine, it’s essential to have winter alpine equipment, skills and experience. You’ll need an ice axe, crampons, a helmet, and an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel – and you’ll need to know how to use them. Always check the NZ Avalanche Advisory for the latest forecast before you go. It’s essential to know the places to avoid, and that takes training and experience. MSC has avalanche safety information, including a list of avalanche course providers.
Hunting Trip Essentials
Find out what your trip will involve. Here are some ideas to help get you started:
Share Your Plan
To-Dos
More Reading
Hunting in Winter
Hunting in Spring
Avalanches
During your Hunt
Stick together and communicate
Be sure that you've got each other's backs.
- Share the load by not doubling up on gear and dividing it between you.
- Check in with your mates about which route to take and the areas you're heading for.
- Keep close enough to communicate quietly once you're in the hunting area.
- Make sure you are clear on what type of game you are after, so that you're on the same page.
- Trade off shooting and spotting roles, confirming your zero, before the trip.
More reading
Manage Your Exposure to Falls
During the planning phase identify terrain hazards you’ll encounter, such as bluffs and gullies, on the way to the best hunting areas. On the day, make decisions based on everyone's comfort level with the terrain, and think about the likelihood and consequences of a fall. Before you shoot, consider the terrain and whether it will be safe to recover your animal.
Consider reading
Follow the Seven Safety Rules
You are responsible for ensuring that your firearm is always handled and stored properly. The seven firearms safety rules are simple to understand, easy to follow and will prevent serious accidents. All firearms incidents can be traced to one or more of these rules being ignored or broken.
Remember, if you don't have a reason for your firearm to be loaded, it shouldn't be.
Read more on
Consider the Mental Shortcuts
- If you’re experienced, remember that it’s normal to get complacent, underestimate risks and over-estimate your ability. Selecting the right route for your group is critical to a successful hunt. If the conditions or terrain changes, or someone is finding it too challenging, be prepared to change your route to one that better suits the new circumstances. Always keep in mind terrain traps, such as bluffs or cliffs.
- Stop, think, assess, and talk with your mates about your options. Consider the likelihood of a fall and the consequences if you were to lose your footing. Manage the risk by avoiding terrain traps.
Have a Hmmm
We all like to push our limits. ‘Having a hmmm’ means slowing down, paying attention to the terrain and watching your footing. Remember, it’s never too late to turn back if the conditions or terrain worsen. Take time to talk to your group so you make good decisions together.
- Research the area and have a backup plan
- Check the weather and be prepared for it to change
- Pack a rain jacket and shelter just in case
- Tell a mate your plans before you go
- Check in with your mates regularly
- Take a map and keep track of your movements
- Watch your footing and take your time
External Resources
- Better Hunting Aotearoa
- Department of Conservation
- NZDA Hunts
- Te Tari Pūreke - Firearms Safety Authority
- MetService
- Windy
- NIWA
Further MSC Resources
- Plan My Walk - Use the custom gear lists and track builder to help support all your trip planning. Complete the trip plan by adding in the trip dates and group members, then sharing with your emergency contact.
- NZ Land Safety Code - Brush up on the basics ahead of any trip.
- NZ Avalanche Advisory - Always check the forecast before heading into avalanche terrain.
- Subscribe to hunting newsletter - Stay up to date with all our hunting tips and insights.