Do You Really Need a Rangefinder During the Roar?

Rangefinders are one of those bits of gear that people either swear by or leave at home entirely. During the Roar, whether you actually need one depends far more on how and where you hunt than on what is popular.

The Roar is fast, unpredictable, and often happens in low light. That changes how useful a rangefinder really is.

What Rangefinders Are Good At

A rangefinder’s job is simple. It removes guesswork.

Used in the right situations, a rangefinder helps you:

• Confirm distance across gullies or open faces
• Avoid misjudging shots in broken terrain
• Make calm decisions when time allows

When you have the space and time to use one properly, a rangefinder can add real confidence.

Typical Roar Shot Distances in New Zealand

Many Roar encounters in New Zealand happen at relatively moderate distances, especially in bush or mixed terrain.

In these situations, experienced hunters often already know their effective shooting range and holdover. When shots happen quickly, there may not be time to range, dial, or double check numbers.

This is where familiarity with your rifle and scope becomes more important than additional gear.

When a Rangefinder Makes the Most Sense

A rangefinder earns its place during the Roar when:

• You are hunting open tops or farmland
• You are glassing from a fixed vantage point
• You expect longer or more deliberate shots

In these situations, having accurate distance information can remove uncertainty and help you decide whether a shot is worth taking.

If you want to explore options, you can view rangefinders suitable for Roar hunting to see what is available.

When a Rangefinder Can Get in the Way

In tight bush or fast encounters, rangefinders are often less useful.

Things can happen quickly, and stopping to range may:

• Break your focus
• Cost valuable seconds
• Add stress rather than remove it

In these moments, good judgement and a familiar setup usually matter more than exact numbers.

A Practical Way to Think About It

If you already carry a rangefinder and know how to use it confidently, it can absolutely be part of your Roar kit.

If you are newer to hunting, it is always worth talking with the people you hunt alongside and asking what kind of distances they typically expect during the Roar. Local knowledge and experience will often give you a clearer answer than any spec sheet.

If those conversations suggest you are likely to encounter longer shots, open country, or situations where distance is harder to judge, then a rangefinder can be a very sensible addition to your setup.

If most of your hunting is close, fast, and in bush, you may find you can do without one. For many hunters, investing first in quality binoculars and a reliable rifle scope will have a bigger impact.

That said, if you think a rangefinder will give you confidence and remove doubt when it matters, it is worth having one in your pack.

A Simple Takeaway

Rangefinders are tools, not requirements.

During the Roar, they work best when conditions allow you the time and space to use them properly. In faster, closer encounters, simplicity and familiarity usually win. Like most Roar gear decisions, the right choice comes down to how and where you hunt.