Whitetail Deer regarded by many as the most beautiful of all the deer species, are known as the Virginian Deer in New Zealand.

Whitetail are restricted to two ‘Free Range’ areas in New Zealand. Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third largest island holds one herd, while there is another in the lower South Island on the fringes of Fiordland National Park.

The Whitetail is another challenging animal to hunt. It’s one of the smaller and more nimble deer species with particularly acute senses and has the ability to stand motionless in cover whilst watching the approaching hunter move on by. Most Whitetail hunters have had the experience of not realising a deer was standing just feet away from them until they saw the ‘Whitetail Wave’, as the departing animal flashes its rear end with its aptly named ‘white tail’ at them.

The Whitetail ‘Rut’ is in May and the antlers remain hard from March to July offering a comparatively short trophy season.

We offer our clients ‘Free Range’ hunts with helicopter access to drop out spike camp locations, as well as hunting our very own private herd on Stravon Game Estate.