Zac, what is your favourite animal to hunt?
It would have to be the chamois...inquisitive nature, sharp vision,
great terrain. Generally you have to put in a good walk to find
one and then you’re tested again when stalking in so you don’t
give yourself away. They are beautiful animals and skins or horn
mounts make for awesome trophies at home.So Zac, tell the readers about one of your memorable
hunts.
My good mate Oscar Perks and I went out to try and find a roaring
stag. We left town at 4am so we could be out on the bushline
not long after sunrise. It was a cracker day with not a cloud in the
sky. We had been picking up a few animals here and there and
towards the end of the day, Oscar shot a roaring stag. It was a
classic head for the area. We also had some neat encounters with
a few chamois where we sneaked right in on them.
That night we went to sleep after a good day on the hill, but we
got a real surprise when we woke up to 15cm of snow and a
blizzard – it was a total white-out. We chucked on all our gear and
set off into the storm. Normally I don’t find it so enjoyable in roughconditions, but I think just being prepared, having the right gear
and good company can make all the difference. The experience
made me feel alive. We were just buzzing, going from a classic
‘bluebird’ day to a snowstorm. It’s like that in the hills...you never
know what you’re gonna get, so it’s about way more than just
shooting animals.Would you have any advice then for young hunters
starting out?
Find someone experienced who’s keen to take you out – that’s
a great way to learn how to hunt. I recommend going out by
yourself too; this way you have to think for yourself instead of
relying on others. You learn from your mistakes and sharpen your
skills. Find your own way and style of hunting, so just get out there
and go for it.I know you've taken out a few new or young hunters
and helped them get their first big game animals.
Why’s that?
I find it really neat watching someone shoot their first animal,
just seeing their reaction and the buzz they get from it. Also it’s
cool getting them away from video games and other distractions,
to show them what’s in their backyard. It’s a great way to get to
know someone too – just the two of you going through physical
and mental challenges. It’s better out in the hills and easier to
have more real chats – if you get what I mean. (I hear ya Zac -
Greig).Do you have some sort of agreement about keeping
your spots secret?
Ahhh spots...yeah I always mention to them about not telling
everyone where we went and plastering it over the internet.
I’m not too worried if they go back themselves, as long as they
respect the area and don’t thrash it...there’s only so much meat
you can carry!Any help gear-wise for young hunters?
From my experience with gear I’d recommend buying quality
when you’re starting out. It may be more expensive, but it will last
longer and you won’t find yourself replacing it as much...saves
buying everything twice!Do you have any gear purchases on the horizon
yourself, Zac? I notice on Instagram you've been
getting into some 'big guns' – what’s that about?
Yeah, I’m getting a 7mm 300 Blaser magnum. I’ve used a trusty
Steyr 308 for everything over the past few years, but I’ve decided
to get something lighter, with a bit more range. Most of the
animals I shoot are between 200-300 yards as I enjoy stalking in
close and personal. But I would like a gun with bigger firepower
and range in case a longer shot is all that’s possible...and just
know that what I hit is gonna drop. Lightweight is a big one too,
so this new rifle will have a carbon stock with a carbon barrel so
the limbs won’t struggle too much to cart it around the hill!Zac with a nice chamois in a
particularly scenic spot54 NZ HUNTER MAGAZINE ~ August / September 2019Zac, what is your favourite animal to hunt?
It would have to be the chamois...inquisitive nature, sharp vision,
great terrain. Generally you have to put in a good walk to find
one and then you’re tested again when stalking in so you don’t
give yourself away. They are beautiful animals and skins or horn
mounts make for awesome trophies at home.So Zac, tell the readers about one of your memorable
hunts.
My good mate Oscar Perks and I went out to try and find a roaring
stag. We left town at 4am so we could be out on the bushline
not long after sunrise. It was a cracker day with not a cloud in the
sky. We had been picking up a few animals here and there and
towards the end of the day, Oscar shot a roaring stag. It was a
classic head for the area. We also had some neat encounters with
a few chamois where we sneaked right in on them.
That night we went to sleep after a good day on the hill, but we
got a real surprise when we woke up to 15cm of snow and a
blizzard – it was a total white-out. We chucked on all our gear and
set off into the storm. Normally I don’t find it so enjoyable in roughconditions, but I think just being prepared, having the right gear
and good company can make all the difference. The experience
made me feel alive. We were just buzzing, going from a classic
‘bluebird’ day to a snowstorm. It’s like that in the hills...you never
know what you’re gonna get, so it’s about way more than just
shooting animals.Would you have any advice then for young hunters
starting out?
Find someone experienced who’s keen to take you out – that’s
a great way to learn how to hunt. I recommend going out by
yourself too; this way you have to think for yourself instead of
relying on others. You learn from your mistakes and sharpen your
skills. Find your own way and style of hunting, so just get out there
and go for it.I know you've taken out a few new or young hunters
and helped them get their first big game animals.
Why’s that?
I find it really neat watching someone shoot their first animal,
just seeing their reaction and the buzz they get from it. Also it’s
cool getting them away from video games and other distractions,
to show them what’s in their backyard. It’s a great way to get to
know someone too – just the two of you going through physical
and mental challenges. It’s better out in the hills and easier to
have more real chats – if you get what I mean. (I hear ya Zac -
Greig).Do you have some sort of agreement about keeping
your spots secret?
Ahhh spots...yeah I always mention to them about not telling
everyone where we went and plastering it over the internet.
I’m not too worried if they go back themselves, as long as they
respect the area and don’t thrash it...there’s only so much meat
you can carry!Any help gear-wise for young hunters?
From my experience with gear I’d recommend buying quality
when you’re starting out. It may be more expensive, but it will last
longer and you won’t find yourself replacing it as much...saves
buying everything twice!Do you have any gear purchases on the horizon
yourself, Zac? I notice on Instagram you've been
getting into some 'big guns' – what’s that about?
Yeah, I’m getting a 7mm 300 Blaser magnum. I’ve used a trusty
Steyr 308 for everything over the past few years, but I’ve decided
to get something lighter, with a bit more range. Most of the
animals I shoot are between 200-300 yards as I enjoy stalking in
close and personal. But I would like a gun with bigger firepower
and range in case a longer shot is all that’s possible...and just
know that what I hit is gonna drop. Lightweight is a big one too,
so this new rifle will have a carbon stock with a carbon barrel so
the limbs won’t struggle too much to cart it around the hill!Zac with a nice chamois in a
particularly scenic spot54 NZ HUNTER MAGAZINE ~ August / September 2019