HUNTING SEASONS: As New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere our seasons are opposite to those in North America. Hunting starts February and finishes August. 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 - Travel Documentation Gun Importation Form 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. 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. 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 large privately owned high fenced hunting estates. The terrain on these estates vary from small rolling bush covered hills to near mountainous terrain. TAHR & CHAMOIS - are hunted in the Southern Alps. They rut May, June and early July. At this time of year the bulls are in their winter coats. Tahr and Chamois can still be successfully hunted in April and August. On these hunts you'll fly by helicopter through the mountains in search of the desired game. Once a trophy animal has been located, you and your guide will be dropped of within stalking distance and attempt to harvest the trophy on foot. If the animal is not taken, your guide will radio the helicopter and it will return and take you to another area. In New Zealand it's legal to fly and hunt the same day. DUCK HUNTING - There are two separate seasons. The first season is from February 20th to March 31st. During this season you'll hunt Paradise ducks and Canadian Geese. The limit is 25 Paradise ducks per hunter per day and no limit on geese. The second 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 Stag hunting lodge is 1 1/2 hours. From the Stag hunting lodge to the Tahr and Chamois hunting lodge is 3 1/2 hours. From the Stag hunting lodge to the Bird hunting lodge in Waimate is 1 1/2 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: There is a 45 minute promotional video available. This will show you in detail what to expect when hunting New Zealand.