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NELSON
Special
Feature: Red, fallow and chamois trophies in National
Parks
This top destination for travellers has wonderful sunshine,
golden sand beaches and the most popular national parks in the
country.
Nelson’s Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi parks,
along with the superb Mt Arthur Tablelands and Cobb Valley, are
nirvana for lovers of the outdoors who are also hunters. The
parks offer amazingly diverse landscapes from towering granite
domes, marble mountains, honeycomb caves and high plateaux of red
tussock - perfect red deer habitat.
Red deer are present in all high forested areas in moderate
numbers. Good hunting is to be had anywhere in the region and
trophy heads can be obtained by trekking into the relatively
undisturbed backcountry such as the Wangapeka River and other
catchments in the Murchison and Inangahua areas.
Fallow deer exist in a small colony on the Bryant Range and
headwaters of the Pelorus River. The Mt Arthur/Cobb Valley herd
has become well established and produces good trophies from time
to time.
Chamois are found in low numbers on the high alpine slopes, right
across the vast northern end of the Southern Alps. There are many
well-defined tracks and good huts in the Nelson ranges, which
makes hunting more effective and enjoyable.
Wild pigs are present in the Abel Tasman, Mt Arthur and Richmond
Ranges in low to moderate numbers. They inhabit the thickest
parts of the bush so finding and bailing dogs are usually needed
to help ‘bring home the bacon’. Goats are scattered in
small groups in the coastal Wakamarama Range and the Richmond
Range.
Good populations of mallard, grey and shoveler ducks exist in the
coastal estuaries and farm ponds throughout the Nelson region.
Paradise shelduck can be found in moderate numbers. Pheasant,
quail and partridge are present on forest margins, recently
felled forest areas and in thick scrubland. Golden Bay mallard
numbers are increasing and black swan are plentiful on Farewell
Spit.
Fly-in hunting safaris for red deer, chamois and wild pig are
available in Nelson and Upper Moutere. The full range of red,
fallow and wapiti trophies plus thar, chamois, Arapawa Island
ram, goat and wild boar is offered by professional guides in
Murchison.
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