Whos been to NZ hunting?

flyingfisherman

Well-Known Member
Well, gonna go over to NZ next year i think, not sure when (need to find out when the stalking is best!). Have any of you guys been or do you live there? Im looking for info on when is best to go, where is best to go, do i need licences and how difficult is it to borrow a rifle? Im looking to do it on a budget too!

Its a surprise holiday for the missus, dont know what will be more of a shock, telling her were going to NZ or telling her that when i get there i will be mainly shooting or fishing!!

Im not too bothered about species, just want to get out with a rifle into the hills...
 
I just typed a long reply, hit the wrong button and lost it! Suffice to say that its a great place, you won't want to come home, I've been out with mates on their own shooting ground and borrowed a rifle but the paid stalking type thing I know little about. If you can find a retired govt deer culler to take you into the urewera or somewhere down south you should have a good time! Best of luck. http://www.nzdeercullers.org.nz/news.aspx
 
Try a PM to john.d.m of this forum, he moved to the North Island a couple of years ago and might point you in the right direction as he's a very decent bloke.
 
A personal contact like that will ensure you a good time. Kiwi generosity and spontaneity is legendary and has never failed me. Good luck.
 
Very interested in this one - was going to ask a similar question. NZ is looking like a favourite for the honeymoon next year... hopefully going to surprise the new Mrs by leaving her for a few days!

DC
 
Very interested in this one - was going to ask a similar question. NZ is looking like a favourite for the honeymoon next year... hopefully going to surprise the new Mrs by leaving her for a few days!

DC

Its a fantastic place if she's worth her salt she'll love it even if youi're off up a mountain with your rifle, I'd live there like a shot I really would.
 
I have been out there a couple of times on hunting holidays, my mate runs a NZ outfitters that specialises in taking UK stalkers out there hunting.

The first thing I will say is you need to be fit, and I mean very fit by UK standards if you are going to hunt fair chase with the Kiwi’s, unless you have very deep pockets and can pay to be ferried everywhere by helicopter.

The country is 2 different island, the North island and South Island, the North has predominately red/fallow and Sika deer, goats and wild pigs/boar, in the south island you have Chamios and Tahr although there are Wapiti in Fjordland and White tail deer on Stewarts Island getting access to these is not easy.

There are no seasons for big game but ones apply to ducks etc. If you are taking your rifle then once you land and declare it to customs they will check your UK FAC and issue you with a NZ FAC, this is valid for one year and with it you can buy as many guns, ammo etc you want with one or two exceptions like Assault rifles. It is best to book your flights with NZ air and travel outwards on flight 01 and back on 02, this is because this plane lands at LA airport in the USA for a refuel but the luggage is not removed from the plane. You will need a import/export licence from the USA because you are travelling though the USA with a firearm but on this flight you will not have to show it as the rifle does not leave the plane. The other airlines flying to NZ are not very firearms friendly.

The best time to go is spring early summer March, April, May June. You can hunt Department of Conservation “DOC” land for free but don’t get too excited as most that has easy access is shot out and you will need good local knowledge to find any animals the best hunting is on private stations/farms but they generally know what it is worth.

There are a few kiwi’s on here that will be able to give more info’
Top predator, boarboy, Wapti Bill, and John D.M. left for NZ to live there not long after the site started.

Want to know any more I will help if I can. A good site is NZ Huntandfish.com this will give you a good insight to NZ hunting.

A couple of photos to wet your apatite.

brettmeandpigdogsnoface.jpg


http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb114/bambi-basher/****edbythefire.jpg

mecarryingpig.jpg


ATB

Tahr
 
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Well, gonna go over to NZ next year i think, not sure when (need to find out when the stalking is best!). Have any of you guys been or do you live there? Im looking for info on when is best to go, where is best to go, do i need licences and how difficult is it to borrow a rifle? Im looking to do it on a budget too!

Its a surprise holiday for the missus, dont know what will be more of a shock, telling her were going to NZ or telling her that when i get there i will be mainly shooting or fishing!!

Im not too bothered about species, just want to get out with a rifle into the hills...


I'm a kiwi and went back in Aug for a hunt. Have a look at my profile pics. Thar, has pretty much hit the nail on the head advice wise. Really depends on what you want to hunt and what sort of budget you have? If you go with an outfitter you will be able to use their rifles, but it will cost you depending on what you want to shoot. Remember the PH's cater mainly to the American market and they are used to paying for trophies. If you want specific species do some internet research on outfitters. There are plenty of reputable people who will get you what you want for a price. If you just want goats, pigs or possums they can be had for free if you have some farming contacts. Maybe you could do a farm stay that offers hunting as part of the package? Queenstown in the south island is a pretty good place to base yourself if you want alpine hunting for thar and chamois and your missus will love it if she's an outdoors type and likes skiing. bit like the St Moritz of the south, so very scenic but not cheap.

Cheers
50/50




View attachment 3344View attachment 3345View attachment 3346View attachment 3347DOC hut.jpgDSC05415.jpg
 
Thanks for the info guys, to be honest with you, its likely to be Sep/Oct/Nov. ish, there is flexibility to go when the hunting would be best, regarding what i want to hunt, well to be honest, i dont care, i just need an excuse to disappear for a week with a rifle into the hills and shooting something would be a bonus. A mate has a vineyard near marlborough so i will be picking his brains. I hadnt considered taking my own rifle, sounds like a hassle..? If i went over there with my FAC, couldnt i borrow one? I really like the idea of taking my own gun but not if its going to cost the earth and be a pain...?

I would consider myself as fit for the majority of UK stalking and intend on getting fitter for the trip. My budget isnt going to be massive unfortunately but should be able to spend £500 or so on the hunting/fishing bit..
 
if you make it to Gisborne there are various adverts in the local papers ,and the local sports shop should be able to point you in the right direction (mostly uphill from memory :D)
 
Hi Ben

Leave the misses at home and ill go with you, you may need a bit more spending money than that !!!!!!!!!!
 
Flights from Glasgow to Christchurchin march are £1300 for a return inc taxes.O K! whats the next cost?

Dry Powder

Barry
 
Flights from Glasgow to Christchurchin march are £1300 for a return inc taxes.O K! whats the next cost?

Barry if you are going to hunt on private stations/farms they will charge a day rate just like here, and trophy fees apply. If you hunt on DOC land you will need a lot of time to hike in carrying all your kit, tent, food cooking gear etc assuming your fitness is up to it, and then back out with meat/trophies etc. Most of the easily accessed ground has been long shot out by local hunters, the normal way to get to good DOC country is via helicopter, £500 will not buy you a lot of flying time.
The first time I went out to NZ you got over 3NZ$ to the pound now it is more like 2NZ$ to the pound.:eek:

The best way to do it on the cheap would be to do a “swap hunt” with a Kiwi, who is over here, take them on roe/munties or CWD all things they do not have access to, then hunt with them in NZ, this would give you free access to local knowledge for DOC land or access to hunting on their station.

ATB

Tahr
 
Thanks for the info Thar, I have taken a couple of new zealand guys out stalking and still have there adress so might get in touch for some local info!

ATB Barry
 
Thanks for the info Thar, I have taken a couple of new zealand guys out stalking and still have there adress so might get in touch for some local info!

ATB Barry

No prob's Barry, if you google "NZhunt and fish" you will find loads of info' for stalking in NZ, remember to let us all know how you get on if you make it out there.

ATB

Tahr
 
Luckily i know a few kiwi guys, one of which owns a vineyard near marlborough, the other i work with, his brother is into shooting so should be able to set me up really. I wouldnt mind paying for a decent trip though. Im looking at sept/oct/nov at the mo due to work and stuff. Im also going to get some fishing in i hope. I dont think its worth taking my own rifle for the amount of hassle. Im also hoping to get flights for under £1000. I gave the missus £800 for a flight
 
Marlborough is a good place to base your hunting from the sounds are good for fishing I think too. The weather can be bad in September, we got snowed in for 3 days last time I was out there in August. A few photos to wet your appetite.
scan0002.jpg

brettmeandpigdogs.jpg

hilixatdawn.jpg

P1010011.jpg


ATB

Tahr
 
D.O.C land is free, just get a permit at local office.I havn`t paid for hunting,I can walk to the bush from my house (easier in the truck tho:oops:) but have heard it can be very expensive to hunt on a "fenced area"/ ranch/outfitters place,but they have outstanding trophies.
I hunt on the local farmland too, and plenty of Deer in our area too,have had them wander through our place.
Fitness?? whatever you have heard,listen to it and be 10 times fitter than you think you need to be !!! hands and knees job sometimes. I was out for a couple of days this week,realy enjoyed myself,me and mate, kipped in the bush and just had a wander,off for beach trip tommorrow, oh and bit of surf casting too,Kim thinks it`s just a picnic on the beach;)
Oh and possums with a 458 is good fun too:lol:
 
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