Hunting and Wildlife Magazine - Issue 225 - Winter 2024
Words By: NZ Mountain Safety Council
There’s nothing like heading into the mountains for a winter hunt – animals have thick winter coats and are easier to track in the snow. But while the rewards are high, so are the risks.
Winter hunting in the alpine demands navigating through challenging terrain and unforgiving conditions, with open tops, scree and rock faces exposed to freezing temperatures, snow and ice. A minor misstep could lead to significantly more severe consequences than in other hunting environments. This underscores the necessity of not just preparing for the hunt, but also for the mountains.
NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) offers safety advice that will make your winter alpine hunting trip memorable so please take note of the following:
Get the skills and equipment: Always take warm clothing, quality boots with good ankle support and tread, and a personal locator beacon. Winter alpine equipment, skills, and experience are also essential if you're going into snow and icy areas. You’ll need an ice axe, crampons, a helmet, an avalanche transceiver, a probe and a shovel – and you’ll need to know how to use them if you get into trouble. MSC’s Alpine Snow Skills series is a great place to start: youtube.com/c/NZMountainSafetyCouncil
Take a mate: Hunting is safer with a mate. Having a mate to help you if you fall could make the difference between life and death. Another advantage of taking a mate is sharing the load up and down the hill! Discuss your route together, as well as which animal to target.
Plan your route before you go: Find out as much as possible about the area. Talk to experienced hunters and Department of Conservation Rangers, who are a great source of local knowledge. Use the custom track option in the ‘Plan My Walk’ app or on site (planmywalk.nz/home) to design your route – it’s perfect for hunters going off track. On the day, keep in mind the changing weather and how long it will take you to get back. If going with a mate or a group, get everyone involved in planning the trip, and consider their ability and comfort levels when deciding on the route.
Share your plan: As with all trips, share your plan with a trusted person. ‘Plan My Walk’ is an excellent tool for building a complete trip plan and route and then sharing it.
Watch the weather: Review the rural and mountain weather forecasts. Even in good weather, conditions can change quickly, and the terrain can ice up as it gets dark. Consider how that will affect your route to camp or home and where you drop your animal.
Keep an eye on avalanches: The danger of avalanches increases drastically in winter conditions. To have a great day out and avoid risky situations, always check the avalanche advisory: avalanche.net.nz. Knowing where to avoid is essential, and that takes training and experience. MSC has useful avalanche safety information, including a list of avalanche course providers here: avalanche.net.nz/education/safety-in-avalanche-terrain.
Have a hmmm: You’re probably familiar with the saying ‘Have a hmmm’ from ACC advertising. 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.
Have an epic trip: With the proper preparation, you can enjoy the hills and make it home safely at the end of the day!
Share your insights: Help MSC respond better to hunters’ safety needs by signing up for the Adventure Voice research community. You’ll be invited to answer regular online surveys about various outdoor topics and have the chance to win some fantastic prizes. It’s free and easy to join at: www.adventurevoice.nz
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