HUNTING SEASONS: As Unlike most countries, New Zealand has no government imposed hunting seasons for Big Game Hunting. Our Big Game Hunting starts in February and finishes in August.
As you're probably aware, New Zealand’s seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. When it's winter there, it's summer here.
TRAVELLING TO NEW ZEALAND: There are daily direct flights that
leave Los Angeles for Auckland, which is your point of entry
to New Zealand. Auckland is also the port where you will clear
customs. From there you will fly to Queenstown. We suggest you
arrive 1-2 days prior to your hunt commencing, so you can adjust
to our climate and get over any jet lag you may have.
Further detailed information is available here -
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: All hunters fly in and out of Queenstown.
IMPORTATION OF FIREARMS: New Zealand is a "hunter friendly" destination. It is very easy to bring a conventional sporting firearm into the country. Approximately 6 weeks before your safari commences, you will be sent a firearm import permit. On receiving this form, you should fill in the appropriate places and fax it to the Auckland Airport Police. Their fax number is 011-649-256-0486. Your information will then be transferred to their computer and it should take no longer than 5-10 minutes to clear your guns on arriving at Auckland International Airport.
RIFLES AND SHOOTING DISTANCES: Shots will vary from 100-250 yards. Any calibre between the .270 and .300 Win Mag is adequate for New Zealand hunting conditions. We have good reliable firearms available for people who do not wish to bring their own.
RED STAG & FALLOW DEER
- The Stag rut or roar begins late March and continues through to early May. During this time, the Stags become very vocal and sometimes aggressive. Our Stag and Fallow deer are hunted on privately owned land. Our total Stag hunting area is 45,000 acres and is a combination of both free range and high fenced. The terrain on these ranches vary from small rolling hill country to near mountainous terrain.
TAHR & CHAMOIS - Are hunted in the Southern Alps. They can be hunted in many different ways, on foot, spike camp, or helicopter assisted. They rut May, June and early July. At this time the mature Bulls have their long winter coats. They can successfully be hunted from mid February though August.
DUCK HUNTING - The season starts on the first Saturday in May and finishes the last Sunday in July. During this season you'll hunt Mallard, Grey, Shoveller and Paradise ducks, Black Swan, Canadian Geese and Pheasant. The limits are a mixed bag of 50 ducks, 5 swans and no limit on geese..
TURKEY - Approximately 2000 Merrium turkeys are currently on our 35,000 acre ranch. Hunters will see 100-150 birds per day. Limit is three Toms per day per hunter.
SMALL GAME HUNTING - We have a large number of wallaby, hare
and rabbit in our region and it is not uncommon for a hunter
to shoot 80-100 rabbits in an afternoon.
HUNT DURATION AND SUGGESTED
HUNTING COMBINATIONS
1-2 species 5 days. 3-4 species 7 days.
- February -Stag, Wapiti, Fallow, Chamois, Tahr, Boar, Tahr, Fishing
- March -Stag, Wapiti, Fallow, Chamois, Boar, Waterfowl and Fishing
- April -Stag, Fallow, Wapiti, Chamois, Tahr, Boar and Fishing
- May and June -Tahr, Chamois, Stag, Fallow, Wapiti, Boar and Waterfowl
- July and August -Tahr, Chamois, Stag, Fallow and Boar
CLIMATE: New Zealand's weather is very unpredictable. It can snow and rain at any time of year, so it's important that you bring good warm and waterproof clothing.
- February and March - Summer with temperatures between 70-75 degrees
- April and May - Autumn with temperatures between 60-70 degrees
- June and July - Winter with temperatures between 32-55 degrees
DISTANCE BETWEEN LODGES:
From Queenstown to the hunting lodge is 1½ hours.
From the Stag hunting lodge to the Bird hunting lodge in Waimate is 1½ hours.
EXPEDITING OF TROPHIES: All trophy preparation/crating is done in our own facility. We have a full time "in house" expediting service. This means we have 100% control over the way our hunters trophies are cared for and prepared for shipping. We are one of the only hunting companies in New Zealand that do this. Most other hunting companies take your trophies to their local taxidermist and have them prepare the hides. Unfortunately by doing this the other New Zealand hunting companies loose control over the way your trophies are handled and prepared for shipping.
NEW ZEALAND HUNTING VIDEO/DVD: There is a 45 minute promotional video available. This will show you in detail what to expect when hunting New Zealand.
