Hey man I'm really enjoying your videos, you are selling yourself short putting all this content into one video! I'm sure I speak for a lot of people when i say we would love to see more content. Keep on keeping on bro!

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Your not wrong mate, as I fully aware that I only show case 1% of my time in the Southern Alps. The strategy I use for these films is to get 3-5 different shots on each mission I complete. That way I'm still in the mountains for the right reasons, to challenge my mind & body as well as recharge the batteries. I don't make these films for views and money, couldn't care less about that. Also want to avoid it becoming like a job, which I see in other NZ hunting KZread channels. At that point it would take away from the true meaning of being in the mountains. Nonetheless, I'll try filming 6-10 different shots on each mission to see if that shortens the time between drinks. Keep charging mate!

I enjoyed that mate. You are right in wanting to get as much out of life as is absolutely possible. I'm 56 and consider I have achieved a lot in my life but there is still so much more I have left to do. Only discovered deer stalking in my forties but aim for a minimum of three weeks a year in the hills, along with as much fishing and mountain biking as I can squeeze in around my business. I'm constantly coaching young tradies on how important it is to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way. Life is short man, and you don't want to look back in disappointment because you didn't take your chances.

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

That's so good to hear mate, absolutely love that mindset and mentality. Even better that you're talking about it with young trades. More time in the outdoors has nothing but positives! Enjoy every day you get in the hills mate and keep up the awesome work!

Always an awesome watch Ben , really appreciated your story man

@bendb_wildaboutnz

3 ай бұрын

Cheers mate! Life's certainly a challenge for everyone, nobody goes through it unscathed. Hope life and hills are treating you as well as they can mate. All the best!

You're an inspiration mate. Great vid. Thanks for taking us on the journey. Cheers

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Cheers Mate! Like most people, it's certainly been a journey, plenty of miles covered! Keep charging mate!

You’re awesome bro. Love your adventures and inspiration. Challenging me to get out there even more and look at life differently.

@bendb_wildaboutnz

5 ай бұрын

Cheers mate for the feedback. Life is a beautiful thing and the mountains are a great place to live life! Keep charging mate!

Nice video mate. interesting life story and great philosophy BUT most importantly, excellent filming and music!

@bendb_wildaboutnz

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the video! Getting the music right or as close to right is bloody hard when your only using copy right free soundtracks. Takes hours to find reasonable ones that fit. Hope the hills and 2024 treat you well! Keep charging!

You truly are an inspiration Ben. I take my hat off to you. Don't forget that good things happen to good people.

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Thanks mate! Just trying to put more positive energy back into the world! 100% agree mate!

I take my hat of to you bro. I always get inspired watching your videos and i think alot people would agree to this too. Thanks for sharing your story it really highlights who you are as an individual. Catch up soon and keep getting those "feeds" mate!

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Cheers bro! Always good to hear about how hard you're working while still making time for the hills. Definitely bro always keen! Don't worry bro the next buffet is never far away haha keep charging bro!

Great to hear of you're journey not all plain sailing everyone's got their own story. Our wild back country is great for the soul

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

100% nobody gets through life without some adversity! Couldn't agree more, we are so fortunate in New Zealand to have wild places so close. Hope the hills are treating you well mate!

I’ve hunted all my life. In wild places. I can tell by the way you describe your hunts you are the real deal. Love your work . Inspiration pluse. Garry wiz

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Yeah mate, I live and breathe the life of a hunter/outdoorsman. It drives my super supportive wife a bit mad but its makes me who I am so she understands, thankfully! Keep living the dream in those wild places mate!

Respect Ben! It takes serious guts to talk about deep stuff like that and that's something us guys don't do! Outdoors is my happy place, so good for the mind. Keep up the awesome work. ❤

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Yeah mate I umm'd and arrh'd about putting it in. I think it's important for everyone to understand each other a bit better. On a board perspective understanding one another only helps society and moves it forward not backwards. Hope the outdoors are treating you well and couldn't agree more. If everyone spent time in the outdoors they would stop complaining about pointless things. Keep charging mate!

Thanks so much your an inspiration. I hope you can reach young men in nz and lead them to live healthy and rich lives.

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Appreciate the feedback mate! All I hope is young men have good people around them or at the very least proper role models! Social media has distorted what good role models are, hard world they are growing up in.

Mate your a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of nz hunting content. Don't get out in the wild remote places so much anymore and your videos always inspire me, keep on making them. Love to see the story on the stags head at the beginning.

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Thanks mate! Every day I get in the Southern Alps is a blessing and to have an abled body is even more of blessing. I actually did shoot a video explaining the stag story but I chose not to put it in because I want to tell that story through an article in Rod and Rifle. I find writing a much easier way of articulating to the full story. Hope the hills are treating you well!

@MountainMan_NZ

6 ай бұрын

Great knowledge shares and perspectives bro!! Time on the mountain, especially solo, gives you plenty of self reflection time. Powerful messages. Spectacular scenery, loved the animal footage, mean chamois on skyline (has to be 10 inches 😆), and good equip review. Might look into the quilt option and memory foam pillow! Sorry for your loss man, great attitude on a auditing yourself and a growth mindset 🙌

@camellis3335

5 ай бұрын

I don't tend to enjoy a video with too much waffle. Good advice, great perspective. Keep investing into your marriage- that means you're allowed out in the hills more right?

@bendb_wildaboutnz

5 ай бұрын

@@MountainMan_NZ Cheers bro! You're 100% correct, hunting solo has been the best thing for my overall health and specifically mental wellbeing. So many times I've come up with answers to complex situations because of the solitude. Yeah bro that chamois is one I want to go back for, 100% over 10"! Bro the quilt and memory foam pillow have drastically improved my mountain sleep, well worth trying! Thanks bro, all you can do is keep living life to the fullest. Hope you're staying happy and healthy bro!

@bendb_wildaboutnz

5 ай бұрын

@@camellis3335 Glad you enjoyed it mate, I agree, I'm not the biggest fan of non-stop self documenting in hunting films. I do try and strike a balance to keep everyone entertained, a lot of thought goes into my film structure. Yeah mate I really try hard to maintain balance in all aspects of my life, including my marriage. One of the best things about my wife is, that she understands my passion for life and the mountains because I am who I am because of the mountains. So in return for loads of mountain time I really try hard to be helpful, speak her love language and operate as a team. Nonetheless, hope the hills are treating you well mate!

Superb testimony fella, that is inspiring for sure...get after it

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Thanks mate! 100%, life is a beautiful thing, everyday matters! Keep charging mate!

Another superb bit of cinema bra👍🏼. Some awesome sharing & inspiration to others mate. Keep pumping. Rod & rifle ae, say hi to Mozza from me dude.

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Cheers brother, glad you you enjoyed! Hope you're getting some quality time in hills and will do! All the best!

Awesome bro! Loved the chats in this video. That memory foam pillow looks like something Im going to try replicate. 👍🏿

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Cheers bro! Yeah bro, its honest one of my favourite pieces of kit. Got sick of sleeping on hard as pillows! Hope the hills are treating well!

Epic man, love the content.

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Cheers mate! Hope the hills are treating you well!

@WildNZOutdoors

6 ай бұрын

@@bendb_wildaboutnz yea man, had some epic times in the hills as of late. Few more vids to come. Cheers and keep it up

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

@@WildNZOutdoors Awesome to hear mate! Enjoy those mean summer missions!

thanks for sharing! loved the vid!!

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Thanks Mate, appreciate the feedback!

Great video Ben! There's an old saying "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger", you epitomize that! Thanks for the gear rundown, am looking at changing boots as the ones I have now haven't lasted a fraction of the time of my old pair. And I'm definitely going to get a pole, knees are getting a crusty. See you in the hills

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Yeah mate, nothing like some character building in the Southern Alps! 100% get a pole they are so good for taking load of your body and giving you extra stability. Hope you've managed to suss out a quieter, soul enriching bush spot!

Mean mate good story’s mean filming we are so lucky in NZ your right hard work pays off I’m 47 wished I got out the hills more when I was younger

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

No doubt mate, to have the Southern Alps right our doorsteps is amazing. Best playground / 2nd home in the world. The more time in the outdoors the better!

Fantastic

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

Thanks mate! Keep charging!

Ever thought about becoming an inspirational speaker to the device addicted youth of today you would change lives.

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

I actually worked in Tertiary education for 5.5 years and truly got to help young students become better versions of themselves. Was super rewarding work! In terms of motivational speaking I like to talk mostly through my actions and work ethic but never afraid of having a solid conversation with anyone. There's no doubt the youths of today live in a convoluted world and need proper role models!

So epic bro still getting after it love to see it

@bendb_wildaboutnz

6 ай бұрын

100% bro! You know me, always getting after it! Hope life's treating you well bro!

Hey Ben I might be way off but did your mum and dad live in Reefton years ago, if so I was good friends with them.

@bendb_wildaboutnz

5 ай бұрын

Geoff, nah they didn't live in Reefton. I must look like their son! Would be classic if it was the case! Hope the hills are treating you well!

Hi Ben, I'm from Germany and planning a DIY hunting trip on public land, specifically for red deer. I'd love some advice on where to go and how to approach it. My friend and I are still figuring things out. Would it be possible to connect with you, perhaps via email?

@bendb_wildaboutnz

4 ай бұрын

Hey Mate, I'll detail all the basics of public land hunting below. 1. Go to DOC maps and use overlayers to find out where you can hunt - www.doc.govt.nz/map/index.html 2. Use DOCS Block info to figure out where you can hunt Red Deer 3. Get a hunting permit for your intended hunting area - huntingpermits.doc.govt.nz/huntingpermits/start (During the roar some areas are balloted) Once thats done you are free to hunt, below are some tips to maximise your success. Of note mature stags are super rare on public land so dont expect to get a mature stag. *Chose a block in the South Island. *Get as far away from any Huts and Tracks as possible. *Avoid areas that can be easily access by 4x4. *Avoid hunting during the roar Mid March to Mid April. If you want to hunt the roar then epxect to see a lot of hunters. *Chose a block between Malborough and Queestown. Best genetics for Red Deer between those two locations. Our Red Deer herds are not managed well hence why its so difficult to secure a mature red stag on public land. Nonetheless, if you beat the feet you'll 100% have an adventure and create many memories. Hope that helps!

@steffenguschmann1969

4 ай бұрын

@@bendb_wildaboutnz Thanks a lot, Ben! This is very helpful to kickstart the planning process!

@bendb_wildaboutnz

4 ай бұрын

@@steffenguschmann1969 All good mate. That's pretty much how I plan hunts. Also the harder you work, the more opportunities you will create. Especially when hunting on public land. Lastly, the east coast usually holds more Red Deer than the west coast of the south island due to less Helicopter / venison recovery pressure. If feral venison prices are high I would stay away from any west coast blocks. Happy hunting mate!

@steffenguschmann1969

4 ай бұрын

@@bendb_wildaboutnz To be more specific, which area should we generally consider since we currently have no idea?

@bendb_wildaboutnz

4 ай бұрын

@@steffenguschmann1969 I would look at blocks in Canterbury and Otago regions. Each block has a good overview by DOC as to animal numbers i.e. moderate numbers of deer will be outlined in the description - "Pigs, red deer and chamois are present in low to moderate numbers" Great resource > www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/things-to-do/hunting/ The biggest thing is research (I put hours of research into finding areas) and follow the tips I gave in the first comment. Best thing about New Zealand if you try a block and its no good then all you need to do is travel 1 hour in a direction and you'll likely have more luck.