Enjoy Alpine Hunting This Winter – and Make it Home Safe
There’s nothing like heading into the mountains for a winter hunt – animals have their thick winter coats and they’re easier to track in the snow. But while the rewards are high, so are the risks.
Winter hunting in the alpine means negotiating some pretty gnarly terrain and unforgiving conditions, with open tops, scree and rock faces exposed to freezing temperatures, snow and ice. A small mistake could have far more serious consequences than in other hunting environments. That means you need to be prepared not only for the hunt, but for the mountains as well.
NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has safety advice that will make your winter alpine hunting trip memorable for all the right reasons.
Get the skills and equipment
Always take warm clothing, quality boots with good ankle support and tread, and a personal locator beacon. If you’re going into snow and icy areas, winter alpine equipment, skills and experience are also essential. 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 if you get into trouble. MSC’s Alpine Snow Skills series is a great place to start.
Take a mate
Hunting is safer with a mate. Having a mate to help you out if you fall could make the difference between life and death. Plus you can share the load, both 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 Plan My Walk 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 think about 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 a great 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 considerably in winter conditions. To have a great day out and avoid risky situations, always check the NZ Avalanche Advisory. It’s essential to know places to avoid, and that takes training and experience. MSC has heaps of useful avalanche safety information, including a list of avalanche course providers.
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.
Have an epic trip
With the right preparation you can enjoy the hills and make it home safe at the end of the day!
Share your insights
Help MSC respond better to hunters’ safety needs by signing up to the Adventure Voice research community. You’ll be invited to answer regular online surveys about a range of outdoor topics and be in the chance to win some cool prizes. It’s free and easy to join at www.adventurevoice.nz.
Want to learn more?
- Check out the other stories from folks and their experiences in the outdoors on our Stories section of our website.
- Download Plan My Walk to help plan the trip by choosing a track, checking the weather, and creating a gear list before sending the trip plan to a trusted contact. Stay tuned for new features including custom tracks and gear lists.