Contact Us
4323 Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road, RD1
Staveley, 7771, New Zealand
PHONE: +64 21 644 507
EMAIL: mail@backcountry.co.nz

 New Zealand Big Game Hunting outfitters and professional hunters.  Download our current brochure of New Zealand hunting trips in the South Islands Southern Alps with Backcountry New Zealand's hunting guides and outfitting service.  We are members of the New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides association and make it our promise to you to deliver an exclusive and authentic hunting experience in New Zealand.  We offer one hunt at a time to ensure you are the sole focus of our company while you hunt with us.

 Download our current brochure on guided fly fishing trips in New Zealand's South Island with Backcountry New Zealand Fly-fishing professional guides and outfitting service.  We offer you a service that designs a tour to suit your personal requirements. We are members of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides association.

Hunting in New Zealand, New Zealand hunting gun laws, New Zealand hunting permits, New Zealand hunting books, New Zealand hunting magazines, New Zealand hunting guides, New Zealand guided hunting, New Zealand hunting outfitters, New Zealand hunting articles, New Zealand helicopters, New Zealand helicopter hunting, New Zealand trophy red deer hunting, chamois, Himalayan thar, fallow deer, whitetail deer, sika deer, elk, wapiti, sambar deer, rusa, wild goats and wild pigs and boar in New Zealand. New Zealand hunting clothing, New Zealand woolen hunting clothing,Hunting is a recreational pursuit and a tourist activity in New Zealand with numerous books and magazines published on the topic.Introduced species Prior to human settlement New Zealand had no land based mammals other than bat species. European settlers introduced a wide range of animals including some specifically for game hunting. Acclimatisation societies Acclimatisation societies were active for a period of 60 years from the 1860s in having introduced animals established in New Zealand. The majority were introduced for food or sport. Government sanctioned deer culling By the 1950s red deer were recognised as an animal pest which damaged the natural environment and the government began employing hunters to cull the deer population to prevent this damage. Networks of tracks with bridges and huts were set up to gain easy access into the backcountry. These tracks and huts, now maintained by the Department of Conservation, are popular for tramping. Commercial hunting operations Foreign tourists come to New Zealand for hunting as part of guided tours or as independent hunters. Types of hunting Chamois Chamois is a goat-antelope native to Europe. Alpine chamois arrived in New Zealand in 1907 as a gift from the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph I. The first surviving releases were made in the Aoraki/Mount Cook region and these animals gradually spread over much of the South Island. They are often referred to colloquially as "chamy" (pronounced "shamy"). In New Zealand, hunting of chamois is unrestricted and even encouraged by the Department of Conservation to limit the animal's impact on New Zealand's native alpine flora. Deer Fallow Deer (Dama dama) A smaller species of deer in New Zealand. Various genotypes exist with differing colour phases: (i) Common, (ii) Melanistic, (iii) Menil and (iv) White. They are often found in bush closer to pasture/farmland, as prefer grazing on grasses. Major herds are found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Red deer (Cervus elaphus scoticus) The red deer in New Zealand produce very large antlers and are regarded as amongst the best in the world by hunters. Along with the other introduced deer species they are however regarded as a pest by the department of conservation and have at times been heavily culled using professional hunters. Additionally many hunters and outdoors enthusiasts class deer in NZ as a resource, for both food, hobbies, and an economic (tourist attraction). Ongoing issues over their pest status continue to be debated between parties.  

Click to like our Facebook & YouTube pages. See & share with your friends amazing images and video as it happens from New Zealand hunting and fishing trips throughout the season. 

In fly fishing, fish are caught by using artificial flies that are cast with a fly rod and a fly line. The fly line (today, almost always coated with plastic) is heavy enough to send the fly to the target. This is one of the main differences between fly fishing and spin or bait fishing; in fly fishing it is the weight of the line that carries the hook through the air, whereas in spin and bait fishing it is the weight of the lure or sinker that gives you casting distance. Artificial flies are of several types, some imitating an insect (either flying or swimming), others a bait fish or crustacean, others attractors are known to attract fish although they look like nothing in nature. Flies can be made either to float or sink, and range in size from a few millimeters to 30�cm long; most are between 1 and 5�cm. Artificial flies are made by fastening hair, fur, feathers, or other materials, both natural and synthetic, onto a hook. The first flies were tied with natural materials, but synthetic materials are now very popular and prevalent. The flies are tied in sizes, colors and patterns to match local terrestrial and aquatic insects, baitfish, or other prey attractive to the target fish species. Dry fly fishing is done with line and flies that float, joined by a leader, usually made of fine polyamide monofilament line. The tapered leader is 3 to 5 meters long, thus nearly invisible where the fly is knotted, and the angler can replace the last meter of nylon as required. Unlike sinking fly (nymph) fishing, the "take" on dry flies is visible, explosive and exciting. While trout typically consume about 90% of their diet from below-water sources, the 10% of surface-level consumption by trout is more than enough to keep most anglers busy. Additionally, beginning fly anglers generally prefer dry fly fishing because of the relative ease of detecting a strike and the instant gratification of seeing a trout strike their fly. Nymph fishing may be more productive, but dry fly anglers soon become addicted to the surface strike. Dry fly fishing on small, clear-water streams can be especially productive if the angler stays as low to the ground and as far from the bank as possible, moving upstream with stealth. Trout tend to face upstream and most of their food is carried to them on the current. For this reason, the fish's attention is normally focused into the current; most anglers move and fish "into the current", fishing from a position downstream of the fish's suspected lie. Trout tend to strike their food at current "edges", where faster- and slower-moving waters mix. Obstructions to the stream flow, such as large rocks or nearby pools, provide a "low energy" environment where fish sit and wait for food without expending much energy. Casting upstream to the "edge" of the slower water, the angler can see the fly land and drift slowly back downstream. The challenge in stream fishing is placing the fly with deadly accuracy, within inches of a protective rock for instance, not long range casting. Done properly, the fly seems to be just floating along in the current with a "perfect drift" as if not connected to the fly line. The angler must remain vigilant for the "take" in order to be ready to raise the rod tip and set the hook.

New Zealand hunts and trout fishing are one of the most memorable travel experiences for the hunter or angler.  Now you can be rest assured that while traveling to New Zealand, your next hunting trip or fly fishing experience will be Carbon Neutral or better! © Backcountry New Zealand Fishing and hunting guides

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exceptional Hunting & Fly Fishing journeys begin here...

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We welcome hunters and anglers to Middle Earth... New Zealand!

...stalking your quarry in New Zealand's stunning alpine environments with a friendly and professional guide that ensures your success!

Welcome to the start of your next hunting or fishing experience in New Zealand - a sought after, fun and safe travel destination. A hunt or fly fishing trip in New Zealand is in all honesty a journey that is on most peoples bucket list... and those that have experienced a big game hunt or fly fishing trip with us over the past 25 years say that it is by far the experience of a lifetime. Check out some of their comments about their journey's here.

The information supplied on this site is designed to provide you with honest information on our New Zealand hunts and fly fishing, as well as detailing some fantastic hunting & fishing packages and options. 

New Zealand hunting and fishing guides are renowned for their knowledge, experience and friendliness when providing visitors with that memorable hunt or fishing excursion. These three attributes are the most important elements for anyone considering New Zealand as a holiday destination and looking for an outfitter. In order to achieve a sucessful and enjoyable hunt or fishing experience, we understand that you are needing to have FUN. Fun comes in many forms: such as watching a large brown trout slurp your dry fly from a crystal clear stream, or stalking a roaring Red Stag through the autumn mist waiting for your chance to inspect the animal further....  Or enjoying some fantastic New Zealand Pinot around a roaring open fire sharing the stories of the day with your guides and partners! But the fun doesn't stop there....  imagine sharing the 'Kiwi NZ' stories and pictures with your friends upon your return home, or your grandchilden in the future asking a thousand questions about the time you went to New Zealand. A trip with us will be more than a fun trip, it will be a lifetime of fun memories!

Our professional guides have been in the industry since the late 80's, offering you vast experience in your hunt or fly fishing holiday planning. We also recommend quality guiding outfitters in other regions of New Zealand, to add to your holiday programme and remove for you any chance of getting a guide that is not best suited to your needs.

New Zealand itself is a land of absolute beauty encompassing a very high quality of game species and large freshwater fish species. If you are searching for a genuine, friendly and personal New Zealand experience that focuses on quality from start to finish... then we will only be pleased to design and deliver that experience for you.  That's our promise! We hope you enjoy learning about fly fishing and big game hunting opportunites in 'the youngest country on earth!': Don't forget to contact us with questions and secure prime seasonal dates!

In the meantime, look through our site, explore some package options, watch some videos and galleries and if you like what you see then get us to provide a draft itinerary and quote to look over. We promise you a fantastic and fun experience!

Nigel & Myriam Birt, and the team of Backcountry NZ Guides.

New Zealand Hunting and fishing outfitters

Here are some quick links assisting you in finding what information you need within our site.

Information on Fly Fishing in New Zealand:

Learn about the Fly-Fishing techniques, fishing style and fish species in New Zealand by clicking here.
Fly Fishing trips and packages click here.
Fly Fishing prices click here.
Download our fishing information brochure here.
Meet your professional fly fishing guides of New Zealand by clicking here .
View our fly fishing photos and gallery by clicking here .
View our South Island of New Zealand fly fishing videos here.
Contact us to ask more questions, get us to phone you or to start booking a fishing trip here .
Learn more about our special occasion, birthday surprise or anniversary fishing tours here.
Learn about why your travel and fishing trip with us is carbon neutral or better here.
Browse through fishing stuff that we like by clicking here.
Learn what fishing equipement and gear you need in New Zealand here .

Information on Big & Small Game Hunting in New Zealand:

Affordable Big Game hunting trips and packages click here.
Exclusive trophy big game hunting trips and packages click here .
Small game & game bird hunting options here.
High alpine game hunting trips - click here .
Learn about our game species of New Zealand and the South Pacific here.
Hunting prices click here.
Download our Hunting informationbrochure here.
Meet your professional hunting guides of New Zealand by clicking here .
View our hunting photos and gallery by clicking here.
View our South Island of New Zealand hunting videos here.
Contact us to ask more questions, get us to phone you or to start booking a New Zealand hunting trip here.
Learn more about our special occasion, birthday surprise or anniversary hunting options here.
Browse taxidery and our prefered taxidermist information by clicking here.
Learn about why your hunt and hunting trip with us is carbon neutral or better here.
Browse through hunting stuff that we like by clicking here.
Learn what hunting equipment and gear you need in New Zealand here.

Other information on this site includes:

Find out where we are here.
Experience our prefered accommodation providers and your accomodation options by clicking here.
Learn about New Zealand and how easy it is to travel to by clicking here .
Read testimonials from our past fishing and hunting clients here .
Read our newsletters online here.
Meet the whole team here.
 

'Backcountry New Zealand - Hunting & Fishing Guides' are globally recognised as some of New Zealand's best and will provide you with a hunting trip or fishing experience that will never be forgotten, and we know that memories of a fantastic holiday are just as important as the experience.  It is our commitment that those visiting New Zealand have a great time, so we will work with you to ensure your happy with all aspect. 

Helicopter services are often included within our hunting and fly fishing packages © Backcountry New Zealand  

Grasmere Lodge is one on New Zealands' finest accommodation experiences and this outstanding facility compliments Backcountry New Zealand hunting and fishing packages to perfection. © Grasmere Lodge