Species

Introduced from England and Europe, Red Stag are the most sought after game animal in New Zealand.  With our sub-tropical climate and fertile environment along with quality management the North Island produces some of the best trophy heads in the world.

The ‘Roar’ (RUT) begins in March and goes through to late April.  This is truly an exciting time; the deer will be active and vocal throughout the day and often the night, often with dominant stags engaging in battle.  This will get any hunters adrenaline pumping! The Red Stag is a majestic and impressive beast.  Mature stags can weigh 400 – 500 lbs. and are known for their magnificent crowns.

Trophies are taken right through the season before they shed their antlers.  Due to their sheer size and resilience we recommend no less than a .270 calibres.

The most elusive deer in New Zealand. A great additional trophy to add to your hunt. Male Rusa Stags can weigh up to 400 lbs. With a very distinctive call, Rusa stags become very aggressive during the RUT in late June through to August.
A highly prized trophy, being the least distributed of all the recognized deer species in NZ. They are among the most challenging of deer to hunt. Normally 3 points on either side with dark greyish-brown coats. They tend to occupy areas of thick cover and are drawn to warm clearings. Rusa are rarely encountered on their own so be alert for others in close proximity.
We recommend no less than a .270 calibres.

The second most common deer in New Zealand. Fallow make the hunt exciting and challenging, even for the experienced hunter.

 Fallow Bucks are a striking trophy – the only game animal with palmated antler formation like a moose.  They vary in colour from black/brown/grey to spotted and can be quite vocal.  Drawn to grassy clearings they tend to graze in large groups. The Fallow Buck RUT is in April / May. They are aggressive during this time, often engaging in quite intense fights. Fallow Buck are often considered one of the most beautiful deer.

Much smaller than the Red Stag a smaller caliber rifle can be used.

The largest round horned deer in the world. Elk are related to deer but are much larger than most of their relatives, male Elk can weigh 400 plus kg. The winter colour of the Elk is yellowish to brownish grey, the underside is blackish with the head, neck and legs dark chestnut brown and the rump patch large and uniform cream bordered with dark brown.  The summer coat is more tawny reddish or light with dark legs. A magnificent animal and a striking trophy. The Elks behavior and habitat use is very similar to the red deer. The Elk start their RUT earlier than the Red Deer, the males emit a whistle like bugle rather than a roar. 

We recommend no less than a .270 calibres.

New Zealand is the only country that has free range Tahr outside their natural home.  Similar in appearance to large goats, the mature bull can weigh over 300lbs with the females being much smaller. In winter the males have a much prized, thick reddish to dark brown pelt, with a lighter coloured mane and a distinct dark stripe on their back. Females are usually lighter in colour. The male horns are larger than the nanny and a good specimen can range from 11 – 14.5 inches. The Tahr RUT late in May to mid-July.

When hunting Tahr you will be in a mountain environment and need to allow for long distance ridge shots, quality binoculars and a good spotting scope are essential.

We recommend a 30cal magnum but a .270 calibres will still work well.

Chamois are one of New Zealand’s most popular mountain game animals. New Zealand has the only huntable chamois herd in the Southern hemisphere.   Their summer coat varies from grey-brown, tan to honey-gold tones, in winter the coat is dark brown/almost black. Their head is tan with a dark brown or black band that goes from the nose, around the eyes to base of horns. Chamois can weigh up to 100lbs. Male horns are usually stouter and their hooks more strongly developed than females reaching 10 – 14 inches in length. They make a stunning trophy.  Chamois RUT in May and June.

A smaller caliber rifle can be used.

New Zealand is one of the only places left where you can hunt the Arapawa Ram.  It is a wild feral animal, varied in colour from white to black, with heavy curled horns that will often exceed full curl and sometimes will curl twice.  The Arapawa Ram makes an impressive trophy.

Hunted all year round.

They are wild and wary and make great trophies. When hunting wild goat the basic rules of stealth, observation and wind direction apply.  Often in small groups or ‘mobs’ a whistle or shout will cause them to stop. There colours range from white, russet, grey, brown to black and they are very vocal. The Goats horns sweep up and backwards or outwards in an open spiral.

Hunted all year round.

A popular game animal in New Zealand. The Wild Pig is a strong animal, smaller and more robust than the domestic pig with a longer and larger snout and a muscular body. Mostly black but there are variations. Its tusks are sharp, protruding from the lower jaw and curving upwards.  They have poor eyesight but a keen sense of hearing and smell making for a challenging hunt.

Hunted all year round.