SFW (Social Forum Weekend)
Printed From: Kiwi Airgunners
Category: Target Shooting and Clubs
Forum Name: Events
Forum Description: This is for any up coming events, Clubs or nats. Post them here.
URL: www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=1279
Printed Date: 19 Mar 2026 at 11:43pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 10.14 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: SFW (Social Forum Weekend)
Posted By: RangerPete
Subject: SFW (Social Forum Weekend)
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2025 at 12:13pm
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This is just a feeler to see if there is any interest in having a social "forum" get together? It would take a bit of organising, finding a venue, picking a date etc... but would anyone be interested in attending for a weekend if we arranged a social get together for forum members? Obviously it all hinges around finding a venue that could host us, and that is "central" for everyone. And considering our forum covers anyone in NZ, finding a "central" venue could be challenging! I've been thinking about the following: Finding a venue with basic accommodation, like a school group venue with dorms or even camping on the grass, bathrooms to cater for a small group and kitchen facilities. Obviously the venue would need to be able to host 5, 10, 20 of us...? An area where we could put up some plinking targets and have some fun shooting, maybe a few little friendly comps for bragging rights or a $5 buy in, winner takes all just for fun shoot. If the venue is in need of some pest control one or two organised hunts could be arranged, who knows. Evenings would involve sitting around a fire, a beer or two and comparing hunting stories and barrel lengths. Catering would be bring your own, and cook your own. And dishes would be wash your own. The possibility of a night shoot could be fun too? Obviously it would all depend on finding the right venue, and finding a venue that is close to where the most interested people would be traveling from. One day and one night is not worth traveling for unless you are close, so I'd suggest arriving on a Friday afternoon/evening, up early Saturday morning for a full day of fun and shooting, braai Saturday night, easy Sunday morning shoot and everyone disperses when ever they need to to get home on Sunday. Who would be interested in attanding a weeeknd like this, and where would you be traveling from? I'll plot locations on a map and we'll see where "central" ends up being. Pete. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Replies:
Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2025 at 11:38pm
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This sounds like a fantastic Idea. If there is enough interest, maybe a North Island and South Island meet-up? While very few might be able to attend both, by having gatherings in both Islands we might end up with far more members overall able to particpitate. Maybe even an opertunity for some friendly North vs South competitions. Again it would depend on numbers - but maybe 10m pistol, 20 or 30M springer, 50m PCP .22 .25 .30 - again all comes down to who is able to attend - and what guns they have. Even targets at nigh is a whole new challenge. In my case, I live on a five acre life sentance property in Matamau - which is halfway between Dannevirke and Norsewood in southern Hawke's Bay so am reasonably central for travel to other parts on the North Island. Many many years ago my son was interested in astrnonomy and we joined the local (HB) Astronomy club. At the time there was an anual meeting called Stardate people from around the country could attend. The ony one we went to was held as Eskdale school over a long weekend. Don't recall too amy details but basicallt there was limited cooking and toilet/bathroom facilities at the school. Eveyone camped on the school feild - some had campers but most had tents. There were a number of lectures and demos during the day and lots of telescopes/stargazing at night. Don't recall the specifics , but I think it was during warmer weather (possibly Easter) and we stayed in in a small tent for around two nights. At th time I beleive Stardate moved around the country, Doing a quick search just now I see there were two simillar events this year, one in the North Island and one in the South. Maybe a noth and south meeting is an option? Anywy - I' definately interested, and able to help in any way I can.
------------- Regards -Ec |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 26 Oct 2025 at 9:09am
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Cool, Ec, thanks. Well that makes 2, and I'm pretty sure Myson would also be interested in joining. I have a potential venue in mind just outside of Tamaranuie. I'll be staying there next weekend for some pest control and will chat to the owners. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Mintie
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2025 at 10:14am
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Put me down as interested, I'm Hawkes Bay based but have a regular spot I visit over in Waitomo that would be perfect for this, huge block with plenty of pest hunting and lots of options for setting up targets out to long ranges etc.. The owners son Jason used to be on the old forum and we first met at this property about 10 years ago. East spot to camp and has toilets etc. If there is enough interest I'll give him a call and float the idea. |
Posted By: Alister
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2025 at 11:17am
| I'm certainly interested. I'm sure we all are used to roughing it for a couple of nights as long as there is basic amitys a toilet and cooking.im thinking a wool shed on a farm would work well may even get rid of a few pests for the farmer. The biggest thing now is all the h&s that clubs have to work through. I've been a member of several fishing clubs over the last few years and we certainly have camped up rough seelping in cars or on the beach. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 1:31pm
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So I spent the weekend doing some goat and turkey control on a horse property near Tamaranui, and I spoke to the owners about the possibility of hosting us for a weekend there. They have dormitory style accommodation and bathrooms, a big kitchen, lots of space and a whole valley we could set up plinking targets in and have fun. Also spoke to them about a campfire area and the possibility of some pest control. It is a beautiful location and they are keen to host us. We are provisionally looking at around $40 a night per person, bring your own bedding and own food, but will confirm all the details as this plan progresses. But I think its safe to say we now have a relatively central venue, and it really is a beaitiful property. Very hilly, big area of natural bush, red deer and fellows, goats and turkeys, rabbits, magpies, rivers and a waterfall, and lots more. At the moment I'm thinking about choosing a weekend when the weather is warm and dry, either Feb or March. Any suggestions for a date? Would those interested prefer a normal fri-sun weekend, or would the traveling make it worth while to choose a long weekend for that extra day? ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 1:46pm
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Heres another thought... it dosent have to bee a weekend. I'm flexable and able to do midweeks (whith enough planning), or even if we pick a normal weekend and we just add a Friday or a Monday as we want. I personally find if I'm going to do a 3 hour drive, or more, makes it worth while to extend the weekend to a 3 day weekend. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 2:59pm
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Im keen for what ever ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 3:34pm
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I also can do mid-week. I guess it comes down to what works best for the most people. Possiblly a weekend with extra day(s) either before or after for those of us able to do it? Auntie Google tells me it is nearly 4 hours drive from here to Tamaranui so an extra day or so would work for me. Depending on what everyone else thinks. I'm not keen on a public holiday weekend as there is often too much traffic on the roads. ------------- Regards -Ec |
Posted By: Alister
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2025 at 5:39pm
| That's a great idea and very well priced. I'm definitely ken happy to work in with dates would need to give leave notice at work. |
Posted By: Mintie
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2025 at 8:56am
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Put me down as interested, need to get out for more social hunting/plinking vs it being work all the time. I'm flexible for week/weekend days. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2025 at 4:52pm
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I agree with EC, public holidays are a pain in the ass, the roads are always super busy and shops are always closed.... I'm happy to do a normal weekend and just add a day or two. We could plan to arrive on a Friday and leave on the Monday, or, arrive on a Thursday and leave on the Sunday. Of course if anyone couldn't make the full 4 days, they are welcome to arrive when ever they can and leave when ever they need to. I'll check with the farm to see if there are any weekend dates in March available. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2025 at 4:53pm
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Does anyone have any weekend dates in March that they would NOT be able to do? ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Alister
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2025 at 12:00pm
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March would work well for me |
Posted By: Mintie
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2025 at 3:19pm
| Mid to late in March works for me. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2025 at 6:42pm
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Ok so I've provisionally penciled in the weekend of the 20th to 23rd March. I will be arriving on the Friday morning and leaving on the Monday afternoon. Anyone who wants to join for the full weekend, or part of it is most welcome to join. Arrive when you can and leave when you need to. The farm is called Hikumutu Valley Farm and is 10 minutes outside of Taumarunui. Accomidation rates are: $35 per perspn per night for shared dorms, (up to 6 people per room) shared bathrooms and kitchen. $100 per night for a doubles cabin that sleeps two people, shared bathroom and kitchen. I usually take my own sleeping bag and pillow where ever I go. Bring your own food, do your own catering and wash your own dishes. If you have plinking targets and spinners bring them with as we'll be setting out fun shooting courses each day. I've got a 100yard gong I've never shot before but hopefully we can all connect with it in March! And if you've got a bag of fire wood bring that along too for the campfire each night. More info to come, and any suggestions are welcome. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Alister
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2025 at 5:41am
| Sounds great I'm the same I always carry a sleeping bag and pillow. I'll bring firewood as well. I also managed my own food most likely I'll stay the whole weekend |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2025 at 11:57pm
Some pics of the farm, and we’ll have the whole place to ourselves 👌🏻   ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2025 at 11:59pm
 ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2025 at 6:19am
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What you hunting that day? Aint air rifles your using whatever it is |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 16 Nov 2025 at 2:35pm
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That was 2 weeks ago. We were looking for goats and turkeys. The land owners want them gone. Got 5 goats and 8 turkeys. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: kruzaroad
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2025 at 4:59pm
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And a fidge full of meat. Nice going. |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2025 at 5:11pm
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Looks lovely. I bet it gets hot there in the summer? Clever Pete getting the youth to carry the pack.
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Posted By: JasonEdward
Date Posted: 29 Nov 2025 at 9:28am
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Good plan. Sorry I haven't spent much time keeping up with this forum lately... I'm in for the weekend in March. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2026 at 11:14am
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Right folks, 2 months and 2 weeks till the forums social weekend... All are welcome  We've picked a "central" venue just outside of Tamaranuie, pretty much in the middle of North Island, and we'll have the whole farm, paddocks, rivers, bush, waterfall and heaps of space all to ourselves to plink and shoot all weekend long. If you are planning on coming along and have a spare seat in your vehicle, let others know, maybe you can share the travel costs and get one more forum member to come along. The idea is to have a low cost, fun weekend shooting our air rifles, plinking, maybe if we are lucky a little pest control for the land owners, and just enjoying being out doors and the company of like minded air rifle and out door enthusiasts. The plan is to set up plinking courses and fun challenges that we can shoot as much as we want each day, have a bit of a camp fire sit around under the stars each night, lots of discussions and info sharing, discussions on pellets, rifles, techniques, equipment etc and share a memorable hunting story or two. Springers, co2, pumpers, pcp's, home builds, air pistols, your favorite air rifle, bring em all along. The weekend is open to anyone on this forum, and although it seems to be mostly guys here (apologies to any ladies if I've got that wrong), if anyone would like to bring along a partner or a kid who's equally enthusiastic about air rifles/plinking or hunting, I think that would be great and they are most welcome. If you are interested in attending or would like to join us for the weekend, please let me know so I've got a general idea of numbers. Many thanks, Pete. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2026 at 11:35pm
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Time is ticking folks 😉 Looking forward to the weekend away, some plinking and sitting around a fire in the evenings 👌🏻 ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2026 at 5:55pm
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what days are you going to be there? we keen but the misses may not be able to do the Saturday ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 07 Feb 2026 at 12:35pm
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Hi Nunga, 20th to 23rd March. I'll be going down on the friday morning and staying till the monday. Come join us, arrive when you can and leave when you have to. It is a beautiful property, some bush, a waterfall, the whanganie river, lovely place to just relax for a weekend. Going to be a very chilled weekend, shooting, plinking, relaxing. Sit around a fire under the stars, I'll bring a braai grid (BBQ for those not familiar with braais  ) so we can tan a chop over the coals.I'll talk to the land owners about possibly doing some pest control for them while we are there. I'll bring along my thermals and IR scopes and anyone who wants to try them out is welcome to. Maybe we can do some night plinking bring along your hunting set up, what ever you normally use to shoot rabbits and possums, and we'll hunt some plinking targets in the dark Going to be good... ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2026 at 1:28pm
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Ive been thinking about how to set up the plinking courses, and which of my air rifles I'm going to take.... Wish I could bring them all along but need to be realistic with packing space, so I think i'm going to bring two (maybe 3).Thinking I'll choose two that are almost complete opposites of each other. One a newish pcp, one a 30 year old springer. One sub 12FPE, one high(ish) FPE One with open sights, one with a digital scope... One magazine fed, one single shot... One synthetic stock, one with beautiful wood. Shoot the same plinking course with both, and love every second with each!  Need to make a list of things to pack, and see who is able to bring what, like fire wood, and plinking spinners. I'll be bringing a mobile shooting table and chair which we can leave set up for the whole weekend, for anyone needing to do any bench work, zeroing etc. I'll also bring along about 6 plinking spinners and a 5 inch hanging gong we can use for a 100m shoot. Will also bring my dive bottle for anyone needing air top ups (will be around 200bar) - bring your own connectors if you have specific fittings. To set up a decent course we'll need more than 6 spinners, whos got some they can bring along? Maybe post some pics of what you've got so we can get an idea of what we've got to work with. Ive also got quite a few tins of H&N pellets I've never used, might bring them along for swaps or put them up as a prize for the best 100m shot, or best left handed shot or something... ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2026 at 2:12pm
These are the plinking spinners I’ll be bringing, but we need more. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2026 at 4:39pm
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Ive got two plinking targets I will bring - may even have another one by then. Also will bring a bunch of 6 yard pistol targets and a light weight pellet trap I use with my pistol. I will make up a box of plaster of paris targets we can have some fun turning to dust as well. ------------- Regards -Ec |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2026 at 7:52am
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Two weeks from today I'll be on the road heading south... Really looking forward to a few days away and lots of fun shooting ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2026 at 2:31pm
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Hi Folks, We are a week away. The farm owners have asked me how many people we are expecting, so they know how many rooms to make up but I dont quite know...? We have had interest from a few folks. Whos still keen? I'll definatly be going down on Friday 20th with my son and staying till Monday 23rd. This is open to anyone on the forum, all are welcome. Accommodation is $35/night for a dorm bed with shared bathroom and kitchen, or $100/night for a cabin that sleeps 2 and uses the same shared bathrooms and kitchen. You dont need to stay the whole weekend, if you can only make a night or two thats great, come along. Kitchen has a stove, microwave, crockery and cutlery, fridges and instant hot water. If you are planning on coming along please drop me a text to let me know numbers, my number is oh too one, 6three 9three 76. Will also share the exact address/location of the farm if you dont know where it is already. If anyone uses whatsapp you'll know how easy it is to communicate with whatsapp. I'll start a group to keep everyone informed and up to date (should have done this a month ago). Also looking for a few bags of fire wood if you have any, and bring along a camping chair to sit around the fire. Bring plinking targets too Thanks, Pete. ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: Pauly5
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2026 at 7:27am
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Nicely organised Pete. I'm sorry I can't make it, but I look forward to a few photos, maybe even videos.
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Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2026 at 9:05pm
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Ive got a commitment through to early Saturday afternoon but should be able to get there before 6pm. I'm intending to return home Monday. No problem organising some firewood and I will have at least 4 plinking targets and some plaster of paris targets as well as some 6 yard pistol targets. Will bring my Hatsan Carnivore .30 break barrel, my Webley Mark 1 pistol and at least one other gun. Not sure if I'll have a scope on the Hatsan or not - depends on how things pan out over the week. I'll also bring one of my cheapo trail cams. It's around 4 hrs drive from here and according to "Aunty Google" the shortest route from here is via Woodville, Ashurst, Colyton, Vinegar Hill. If that fits in with anyone else I will have space in my car for another person. ------------- Regards -Ec |
Posted By: Myson
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2026 at 7:38am
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Hi EC, You'll be passing within 2 kms of my place (between Feilding and Colyton) as you journey up and down. If you fancy a cuppa on the way there or back, do pop in! If you have time to call in, let me know and I'll PM you with my details..... ------------- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7jVyBfFqE Air Arms S510 US .22 Air Arms S410 .22 Weihrauch HW97KT .177 Weihrauch HW95 .177 |
Posted By: RangerPete
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2026 at 8:12pm
Weather forecast for next weekend in Taumaranuie is looking perfect 👌🏻 ------------- Walk quietly, but carry a big stick. |
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2026 at 7:18pm
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We will come down Saturday night and stay two nights ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Posted By: nunga
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2026 at 6:17pm
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I just want to clear up a couple of things first. I see on your original posts that bring your own food and wash your own dishes. Now. Does this mean there are dishes provided? and also what cooking appliances are there? is there a kettle? pots pans? microwave? cook top stove? oven? fridges? freezer? do we bring our own dish washing liquid and tea-towels? Im guessing from the earlier posts we bring sleeping bags and pillows and all the stuff? Just need to know these things so it is easier to know what to shop for in regards to food. ------------- 2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014 |
Posted By: -Ec
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2026 at 9:32pm
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Not sure who will see this before the weekend but I hope to be there before 7pm Saturday evening and will have the plinking targets below with me  I may have one more similar to the 2nd from the left as well. Also I will have over 60 of plaster of paris targets like the ones below we can destroy.  Should be a fun weekend! ------------- Regards -Ec |