HUNTING
in New Zealand
Anyone who has traveled to New Zealand, will tell you it offers some of the most breathtaking outdoor scenery in the world. With majestic mountain ranges, stunning lakes and glorious glaciers, gorges and rivers, it looks like a country right out of a fairytale.
Most of the game animals that are hunted in New Zealand, were introduced by European settlers to populate what they regarded as empty forests. With plentiful food and no natural predators, these species continued to multiply and expand across the natural landscapes.
Red deer are regarded as the most common deer in the wild, while other deer species include White-tailed deer, Fallow deer, Elk, Sambar deer, Sika deer and Rusa deer. Other game species that are popular among hunters are the Himalayan Tahr, Chamois, Alpine goat, wild rams, feral pigs and various vermin species.
New Zealand offers hunting opportunities for all hunters ranging from novice to experienced or professional hunters. In the South Island, river flats and high-altitude tussock grasslands are the main hunting grounds, while the North Island offers steep bush-covered hills for hunting. Sometimes, especially for certain species, helicopters are used to fly hunters into remote hunting areas that are not accessible on foot.
For avid hunters, New Zealand is undoubtedly a bucket-list destination.
Savannah and Alpine Safaris specializes in hunting on the South Island and has access to some of the best hunting areas and lodges in New Zealand. Whether you are looking for luxury accommodation with all the upscale comforts or hoping for an adventurous roughing-it experience, there are plenty of options available.
Apart from magnificent hunting experiences, New Zealand also offers numerous other activities for non-hunters or accompanying family and friends. These include some of the best fishing spots in the world, walking and hiking trails, mountain biking tracks, wine tours, helicopter rides, glacier visits, historical sightseeing and adrenaline-pumping activities such as jet-boating, bungy-jumping and heli-skiing. Whatever your preference, New Zealand definitely has something for young and old.
HUNTING AREAS
in New Zealand
New Zealand offers both public hunting areas and hunting on private land. If you are looking to hunt Giant Red Stag, Elk and Fallow deer, you will be hunting on private land.
Privately owned hunting areas are managed carefully. Animals are allowed to breed and grow and only the older animals are selected to hunt. The hunting areas we use are on some of the biggest privately owned land on the South Island and only fair chase hunting is done.
There are of course also free-range hunting opportunities on public land, especially if you are looking for the kings of mountains – the Himalayan Tahr and the European Chamois. There are different methods of hunting these animals, including walking into the area and staying in huts or tents, or flying in by helicopter to a good spot and spending the day hunting in that area. When you have your trophy, a helicopter will fly you and the animal out of the area again.
Your choice of hunting experience will depend on your personal preference, your physical ability and your budget.
WHAT TO HUNT
in New Zealand
Red Stag
Red deer are native to Europe and was first introduced to New Zealand in 1851 as a source of food and sport hunting. With no natural predators and perfect conditions for the animals to thrive, they went on to grow large bodies and massive antlers.
New Zealand has the biggest Red Stags in the world and they are undoubtedly the number one trophy animal that attract hunters from all over the globe to hunt in the land of the long white cloud. They are truly beautiful and spectacular animals.
The best time to hunt them is during the rut or “roar” in March and April. Red Stag can be hunted on public land, free-range on private land or if you are looking for an impressive trophy, free-roaming on game estates.
Himalayan Tahr
Only 13 Tahr were introduced into New Zealand in 1904 for recreational hunting. Since then their numbers have skyrocketed as they thrive in an alpine environment.
Himalayan Tahr are large goat-like animals, native to the central Himalayan ranges of India and Nepal. The male Tahr has a good set of horns and impressive mane of long hair around the neck and shoulders which make them very popular among hunters. They can be hunted all year round, although their rutting period is in May and June and during this period they have their long winter coats. They can be hunted on foot, from a spike camp or with helicopter assistance.
European Chamois
Chamois arrived in New Zealand in 1907 as a gift from the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph I. The Chamois is one of the most difficult animals to hunt. This member of the antelope family is very agile and superbly adapted to living in the steep rugged environment of the southern Alps of New Zealand. They can be hunted all year round, but the recommended time will be from April to August during the rut. During this period they will have their best long black winter coats.
Fallow deer
Fallow deer were first released in New Zealand in 1860 as a source of recreational hunting for the early English settlers. They are smart cunning animals which makes them challenging to hunt. They have palmated antlers and you can find them in different colour coats. The best time to hunt Fallow deer is in April and May during the rut. During this time they become very vocal and aggressive and sometimes engage in fights with other male Fallow deer.
Elk (wapiti)
The Elk, also known as wapiti, is one of the largest deer species in New Zealand. They first came to New Zealand when Theodore Roosevelt gifted them to the country in 1909. Elk have a shoulder height of 1200 – 1500mm with males weighing between 300 and 450kg and females between 200 and 270kg.
Feral goats
Feral goats are found in a variety of habitats, ranging from sea level to the alpine areas in native grasslands, scrub and forest. The adult male goats weigh an average of about 42kg, while female goats are smaller and average around 30kg. Their coats are generally short, while the hindquarters of both sexes, and the neck and shoulders of males may be shaggy. Both sexes have horns that are not shed annually like antlers but are retained for the life of the animal.
Arapawa rams
New Zealand is one of the only countries in the world where you can still find and hunt Arapawa rams. They are not large animals, but they certainly make magnificent trophies. They are usually dark brown and black in colour with white markings and beautiful curled horns. The average Arapawa ram will have one to one-and-a-half curls on each side, but it is not unheard of to hunt a trophy with a magnificent two full curls on each side.
Waterfowl
Waterfowl shooting is seasonal from May to end of July. This is great as an add-on to your hunting experience. Huntable species are mallard ducks, grey ducks, paradise ducks, greater Canada geese, black swan and pukeko. New Zealand is the only place where you can legally hunt black swans.
Flyfishing and lake fishing
New Zealand is renowned as one of best countries for trout fishing in the world. Trout are plentiful in most of the lakes, rivers and streams. Rainbow and brown trout exist in good numbers in most waters and a variety of methods can be used to catch them. You can add a day or two of fishing to your hunting trip or embark on an exclusive fishing adventure chasing the ever cunning trout. Other popular species include perch, tench, Brook char and salmon.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Climate
New Zealand’s weather can be very unpredictable and it is often said you can experience four seasons in one day here. Snow and rain can be experienced unexpectedly even outside of winter months.
February and March are summer months with temperatures between 40-80°F (5-25°C). April and May will see autumn temperatures of between 32-65°F (0-20°C), while June and July brings winter temperatures of between 20-60°F (-5 -15°C).
We recommend bringing the following items
- 1 or 2 pairs of hunting trousers – light / medium weight
- 2 shirts – one light and one medium weight
- 3 pairs of woollen socks
- 2 base layer jerseys
- 2 pairs of base layer shorts
- 1 set of insulating underwear – preferably wool or poly
- 1 light weight jacket
- 1 warm hunting jacket
- 1 set of high quality lightweight/breathable raingear – jacket and pants
- 2 pair of gloves – 1 lightweight or leather, the other waterproof
- Warm or insulated hat or cap
- Well broken in boots – CLEAN (a good support boot)
- Binoculars (preferably 8 or 10 power, the guides are outfitted with excellent spotting scopes)
- Rangefinder
- Small day pack
- Lightweight flashlight and/or head lamp
Firearms
It is possible to bring firearms and ammunition into New Zealand. You need to complete a permit online at least one month before the date of arrival. Check with the airlines about their specific requirements. Some will require the firearm and ammunition to be in separate bags, and most require the bolt to be removed from the gun.
During hunting you will sometimes have to take long shots. Flat shooting rifles like .300win mag, 7mm rem will be good enough with a good quality scope. Minimum recommendation .270win. Good quality ammunition is important. Rifles can be hired if you don’t want to travel with firearms.
Taxidermy and trophies
The trophies will typically be chilled or frozen and taken to the taxidermist after the completion of the hunt. You can then decide if you want the trophies to be mounted there or to be salted and shipped to your country of residence.
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