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BIG GAME ANIMALS RED STAG
FALLOW
DEER
HIMALAYAN
TAHR (THAR)
WAPITI
BULL (ELK)
ALPINE
CHAMOIS
WHITETAIL
BUCK Whitetail deer are found in two Free Range
areas of New Zealand. There is one herd on Stewart Island and the
other in the lower South Island region. Hunting for these animals
can be very challenging due to the low numbers of these deer that
inhabit our country. SIKA
DEER
RUSA
DEER
SAMBAR
DEER
WILD
RAM
All feral rams have curling horns, often
1½ curls on each side. Merino Rams are feral sheep and differ in
coloration with pure white, with also black or brown patches on
their wool coats. Their horns are light cream in colour. BOAR
WILD PIG
FERAL
GOAT
The Feral Goat is wide spread throughout
certain areas of New Zealand.
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Red Stag are a large
antlered species, similar to an Elk, with trophy heads of 6x6 (12
points) and more with a body weight of around 400lb. Here in New
Zealand we are continuing to produce the largest Red Stags in the
world.
The
Red Stag is a sought after trophy by many international hunters
to New Zealand and are the main deer species that inhabit many
areas of the South Island.They were introduced from Europe in the
1850 s and have thrived throughout New Zealand. Over the years we
have seen and experienced such a change in the feral range of Red
Deer . The deer numbers in the 60s & 70s increased to such
proportional numbers, helicopter gunships were used to get the
numbers down. To this day there is still helicopter hunting for
Red Deer, on a much lesser scale as the numbers are not there.
Because of Helicopter hunting it can be very difficult for any
hunter to hunt a Trophy Red Stag in the wild.
Fallow deer are resident
in a few select areas of New Zealand. One of the features of the
fallow deer is the palmated antlers, being flat similar to those
of a moose, but on a smaller scale. In our private hunting areas
we offer "Free Range" & Game Ranch hunts for Fallow
Bucks. Here we have blood lines which produce some of the biggest
Fallow deer available.
There is a range of hide colours ranging from black, pure white,
Menil or spotted. With their antler formations and the differing
color skins they make a wonderful trophy for the wall. The
'Rut" for fallow deer begins in April and extends to the end
of May. Hunting Fallow is available February through September.
We also offer Concession land hunts. The Fallow Buck During the
'Rut' gets very aggressive towards other animals and vegetation.
They are very vocal with a croak like grunting noise as the Buck
protects his females or issues his challenge to other Bucks.
Fallow deer graze on the top edge of the timberline , the edge of
scrub line and can be found out in the open grass terraces as
much as in the dense scrub. The Fallow Buck is a very timid and
wary animal makeing this type of hunting very challenging. During
their Rut is the prime hunting for both rifle & bowhunters as
this is when you will experience high numbers of Bucks.
Himalayan Bull Tahr are the 'King of the Mountains'
in the Southern Hemisphere, they are one of the most sought after
trophy animals of the world. They inhabit the highest peaks in
the South Island of New Zealand - "The Southern Alps".
The Tahr or Thar mountain goat -home country is the highest peaks
in the world, the Himalayas. The Tahr s origin is Nepal &
Tibet and were first released in 1904 to Mt Cook, the highest
mountain in New Zealand. Tahr have thrived in our high
mountainous environment with sheer rock faces, glaciers & overhanging pinnacle bluff systems. A Big Bull Tahr can weigh up
to 300lb and is a sight to see this magnificent agile animal
navigate the steepest terrain. A broad chest and powerful
shoulders for climbing, the thick lion like mane on the Tahr lets
them live at the highest peaks in the Southern Alps . This is
where the bitter wind that blows through the Alps cools them down
as it ruffles their mane, this is a sight that all Alpine hunters
will admire.
Our foot
hunting Tahr hunts are on some of the best Tahr hunting
properties in New Zealand.
Wapiti were
first introduced from America in1905. Wapiti are and always will
be, one of New Zealand's hardest trophies to obtain free range.
Because of the very low numbers of Wapiti in the wild all of our
Wapiti hunts are on private Game Ranches. Wapiti are a large
antlered species and are the largest round horned deer in the
world averaging around 6x6 (12 points) and larger, with their
body weight going up to 1000lb. The Wapiti inhabit very selective
areas of New Zealand and are the biggest of the New Zealand deer
species. The best of these trophies will often exceed sixty
inches in both length and spread and can be found throughout our
hunting area. The prime time to hunt a Wapiti Bull is during
their Rut, which is March through to end of April. The Bugle is
on the same time as the Red Stag Roar and this is a great time
for rifle, bow & muzzle loader hunts with exciting hunting
opportunities available. Hunting Wapiti is available from
February to September.
Chamois - an
agile alert mountain antelope that has the sharpest of scenses.
The Chamois habitat is throughout the South Island, living at
high altitudes above the timber line. Both Buck (male) and Doe
(female) are regarded as top trophies that produce similar horn
growth. Chamois are hunted all year round with their 'Rut' being
April through to June. The Buck Chamois are one of the most
facinating animals to hunt during the Rut. Their antics towards
the Does & their aggression towards other Buck Chamois makes
for an entertaing & eventful hunt. This is a great time for
Bow hunters, as protective as the Bucks are towards the Does, if
they see movement or are threatened by shape they can cover the
steepest terrain in a very quick time towards you. Often a
Chamois Buck during the Rut can walk right up to you as if to run
you off and will emitt a sharp whistling sound.
Sika deer are originally from Asia and were
intoduced to the North Island of New Zealand at the start of the
century. The North Island is the only Island of New Zealand where
the Sika deer inhabit.
Also originally from Asia we hunt the Rusa
deer in the North Island of New Zealand as well as Australia & New Caledonia.
The Sambar Deer is also originally from
Asia and we hunt the Sambar in the North Island of New Zealand.
The Wild pig
was brought into New Zealand by the early sailors in the 1700 s
and are spread through the country. With a mulitude of different
colours the Wild Boar is in fact a very popular Game animal in
New Zealand. A Big Boar can weigh up to 300lb and sport 3inch
ivory tusks. With very good eye sight and scense of smell the
Wild Boar is a very challenging animal to hunt. Spot and stalking
on foot with rifle and Bow is a popular method of hunting along
with hunting with dogs. The use of well trained hunting dogs is
the prefered method and more productive. This method is not for
the faint hearted, as the dogs are finding the pigs, then will do
their best to hold the pig while the hunter goes in with a knife.
