New Zealand Red Stag Hunting
& Trout Fishing Outfitters
Hunting Packages
In planning your New Zealand hunting trip, Nigel & Myriam work closely with each enquiry to ensure you receive all the best options suited to your needs. Everything is flexible, with suggestions to make it work for you. The packages below are the most popular hunts over the past 20 years and are a great starting point for discussions. Packages are a guide allowing you to customize.
Trophy Hunting Packages
Package Prices are in USD$ and include taxes. Prices are based on 2 hunters with 1 guide with twin share accommodation format. Prices are subject to change due to a variety of factors, including exchange rates. All details provided at the time of enquiry. Anything is possible, we customize a package to suit. All Red Stag Scoring is based in the SCI system, other species are best available.
Hunting with Backcountry New Zealand
...The landscapes blow your mind, the air is so clear and crisp, then you hear it for the first time… The unbelievable rutting roar of the Red Stag. Looking at each other with uncontainable smiles, satisfaction takes hold. You’re stalking Red Stag in Middle Earth! And Red Stag in New Zealand is on the bucket list of most hunters.
As your senses absorb the new smells, vegetation types, birdsong and that interesting accent being whispered by your guide, that list becomes a reality. The pounding heart in your chest increases as you hear the stag roaring and their rutting smell drifts along in the mist. Yet to catch a glimpse of those massive heavy timbered antlers, your excitement levels are almost maxed out.
The clash of antlers directs spotting scopes and binoculars to a tussock clearing on the edge of a forested gully. Your first Red Stag in the flesh is a sight that you will never forget. Containing your excitement, your guide explains that he wishes to show you many stags over the coming day or two due to their individuality and uniqueness. "You will know when you find the right one, it just happens... no rush on the first morning. Let's have some fun!”
This isn't a hunt experience where you are based at a lodge with other guests and sent out each day with differing guides. Nor are you arranging your hunt through agents, third parties and travel consultants who all take a cut and can often innocently miscommunicate purely because of the number of people involved. When you finish your hunt, Nigel & Myriam continue to look after you, showing you interesting parts of New Zealand's South Island, including Lord of the Rings locations. You will not be left in a lodge to just fill in time!
Nigel & Myriam are a strong family unit that does it all, dealing directly with you from start to finish, with your hunt being exclusive, following their 'one hunt at a time' policy. They provide you with all the options during the planning phase. They arrange your hunt, pick you up at the airport, and have built the amazing accommodations to cater for hunters. Owning their 3000+ acre hunting block is an important part of managing great animal populations and getting the best out of trophies, along with the exceptional 8500 acre and 49,000-acre hunting blocks utilised for alpine species. Both Nigel & Myriam will guide and teach you about the hunting, only bringing in their other great guides when catering for larger groups. In the evenings they dine and entertain you while inviting you to learn about their life, New Zealand's people, cultures and landscapes. A hunt in New Zealand purely doesn't come more personalised or friendly than this!
Start planning your experience with Backcountry
New Zealand.
New Zealand Hunting Seasons
Different species of deer can be found in hard antler practically year-round in New Zealand. The main hunting is between late February and the beginning of August when Red Stag, and Fallow deer are in hard antler. The rut commences early to mid-March for Red Stags, followed a few weeks later by Fallow. Tahr and Chamois are good to hunt from late march through to September, with their rut season being in May and June. Fly fishing for trout with your hunt is best in March and then April. See Details of each month below.
JANUARY
Chamois and Tahr are both available in their summer coats.
FEBRUARY
The start of the hunting season. Red and stags are in hard antler by the third week. A great time to look over plenty of stags in the open country and pick a really big trophy that is in good shape before the rigors of the rut. The days are warm.
MARCH
Mid-March it's all on for the Red Stags with the rut reaching its peak late March and early April. The best choice for selecting a large red stag is during March at the start of the hunting season. Tahr & Chamois coats start turning into great winter colours. Males are still in Batchelor groups. Trout fishing is settled weather and dry fly hatches. Frosts begin.
APRIL
Peak rut of the reds is in the first two weeks prior to beginning to tail off into May. As if this is not enough, Fallow Bucks will make themselves heard before the end of the month with their loud bullfrog sounding ‘croak’. Frosts are frequent. Fishing season ends at the completion of month.
MAY
The Red Stags move away from the hinds during May in preparation for the winter. The Chamois and Tahr coats are in their prime. The Tahr commence their rut and bulls are generally higher in the mountains with groups of nannies.
JUNE
The Chamois and Tahr coats are still in their prime and the rut is in full swing for these species. Towards the end of June, expect to see stags out in the open in bachelor groups as they try to pile on condition.
JULY
Tahr and Chamois coats are superb, though by now they will leave the nannies and start congregating in bachelor groups. This is one of our coldest months.
AUGUST
Last chance for a big Red Stag as the antlers will start dropping by the second week of the month. The smaller stags will not shed until September, but the really big boys are a couple of weeks earlier.
SEPTEMBER
There are still great opportunities for Chamois, & Tahr.
OCTOBER
Probably the last really good month for Tahr and Chamois, as their coats are climate-dependent and will start to change in the coming months. The new fishing season gets underway first weekend in October with some rivers opening for fishing.
NOVEMBER
Most rivers are open for fly fishing and depending on spring weather the fishing can be great as trout look to gain condition.
DECEMBER
Dry fly activity starts in full force for trout fishing. It is possible to get Chamois and Tahr in their summer coats.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)
Q: When is the best time to hunt in New Zealand?
A: This is our number one question! For hunting New Zealand deer species, Red deer, Wapiti (Elk), Fallow deer; Late February to July (ruts being mid-March to late April). Best trophy selection month for the largest stags is March. And for hunting New Zealand alpine species, Tahr and Chamois; April to August (ruts being May and June). For our other species, Wild boar, Wild Bulls, Alpine Goat, Arapawa Ram late February till September.
Q: Where do we fly in to in New Zealand and on what airline?
A: Most International flights arrive into New Zealand at Auckland (North Island) after an overnight flight from the USA. Then take a short 1hr domestic flight to Christchurch (South Island). Air New Zealand is our national airline, which we choose to fly with ourselves. www.airnz.com
Direct flights to Auckland with Air New Zealand depart from LA, San Francisco & Huston. Flights also come from Hawaii, Cook Islands and Fiji.
Q: Do you exhibit at any International hunting shows?
A: Yes we regularly exhibit at Western Hunting & Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City during February each year. Booth 326
Q: How do your fees work?
A: As per New Zealand industry standards we charge a daily rate, which covers local transport, quality lodging, catering, guiding etc. In addition we charge a trophy fee for game taken during your hunt. Prices are charged in US$ and INCLUDE New Zealand Taxes where applicable.
Q: How do we deposit?
A: You are required to pay a US$1,000 deposit to pencil in dates, and then make up the first 50% deposit to confirm your hunt with us. We then require the final 50% just prior to your hunt. Upgrades and add on animals are paid for at the end of your hunt. We accept electronic transfer (wire), Visa, MasterCard, cash and cheques. Many hunters book their hunts a year or two ahead to secure optimum dates.
Q: Do I need to bring my own rifle?
A: Half of our hunter guests bring their favourite rifle, however should you desire we have outfitter loan rifles available for you to hunt with including a .270wsm. Any rifle above .270 is perfect, common calibres are 7mm rem mag, 300 rem mag, 300 ultra mag. We assist you through the process of bringing in a rifle via the NZ police arms system. If you are planning to travel after your hunt in New Zealand, we recommend utilising one of our rifles to avoid the hassle of traveling with firearms.
Q: Do you welcome bow hunters.
A: Yes we do host bow hunters. You will need to bring your own bow to use. We have a great success rate with the bow and hunt with a bow ourselves. We highly recommend bow hunters hunt during March and the first two weeks of April as the Red stags are on the move and in the rut, providing more opportunities for the bow.
Q: What about expediting and/or taxidermy?
A: We have New Zealand taxidermists take care of your trophies. The taxidermists can either taxidermy and ship your trophies for you, or expedite to your own taxidermist. Documents are provided explaining the process at time of enquiry.
Q: When should we use a helicopter and/or aircraft?
A: We utilise helicopters for transportation in and around our mountains on occasion for those requiring access into the big mountains and who are limited on time or physical capabilities. The cost of any helicopter time is in addition to any hunt price. Allow US$1,500 per hour.
Q: What is there for non-hunters to do, and what about touring options after our hunt with you?
A: As well as being treated like royalty staying at our lodgings we offer a myriad of adventures and experiences that we can assist with. We have local lady’s available also who run guided day and half day options that include hikes, cheesemaking classes, farm tours and shopping. Also available are scenic flights with Lake Heron Air and Mt Hutt Helicopters. For ideas of non-hunter activities, visit www.NewZealand.com and http://www.christchurchnz.com/ for further ideas and information. We involve everyone in the evenings to plan the next day and cater for everyone in the hunt party.
Q: Can you arrange a post hunt scenic tour?
A: We specialise in post hunt scenic tours and are more than happy to assist you with all of the arrangements, to the finest detail. We have a great knowledge ourselves of where to go and what to do, but also like you to research before your trip utilising these fantastic resources from Tourism New Zealand:
http://www.newzealand.com/int/trips-and-driving-itineraries/south-island/
http://www.newzealand.com/int/things-to-do/
http://www.newzealand.com/int/destinations/
Q: Where can I learn more about the basic facts of New Zealand that we need to know:
A: have a great look though the information on this site:
http://www.newzealand.com/int/facts/
Q: What sets you apart from other outfitters?
A: “A hunt experience in New Zealand just doesn’t get more personalised than this.” Our attention is on your hunt journey to New Zealand 100%, with only one hunt operating at a time. Myriam and Nigel handle the whole experience, from the time of booking, to the guiding, accommodation and meals. Myriam and Nigel often guide you together, which is great for hunting couples or those on a ‘huntmoon’!
You will not be one of many hunters staying at a lodge and heading out with differing guides, like some outfitters that have large models requiring volumes of hunters. We focus on you and you only and ensure we provide you with the most enjoyable New Zealand experience. Regardless of a completed hunt, we will continue to ensure your time with us is exactly as you dreamt, exciting, relaxing and fulfilled with other activities and our local recommendations.
Q: Can you provide a list of referees we can call who have hunted with you and any testimonials?
A: Yes here are some people to call in USA. Please also view testimonials in our brochure, or we can send you a list.