NZ "back country" stalking

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I watch a few YouTube video's such as Clark Brothers and JE Wilds who Helicopter in to wild "back country" in NZ.

Question is, is this public land , or woned be someone with exclusive hunting rights?
 
It’s a mixture, lots of it is public land but also lots of the blocks are essentially private in that helicopter operators have exclusive access to hunting blocks on some back country stations


If you want the ultimate NZ luxury back country experience


Although if you want a proper free range wild experience the guy based at Lake Hawea that features in the Pace brothers Himalayan Tahr film is the real deal.
 
No legs required at Minaret, they will chopper you in to spitting distance albeit at a significant cost!

I have previously worked as a hunting guide in the South Island and it is an incredible place but I must say, a couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to have a day with @rickski55 in forestry near Kinloch Rannoch and calling in stags in Scottish forestry was every bit as good if not better than any woodland stalking in NZ.
Himalayan Tahr are definitely mystical animals and will be responsible for my next trip to NZ but most of Scotland’s deer stalking options are unrivalled in comparison
 
11k NZD for one day to shoot a Tahr 😅 guaranteed to be choppered literally on top of it too, what a waste of money.

Plenty of friendly kiwis out there that you can arrange a swap hunt with or are kind enough to take you out for a decent drink, and you will know your actually earned your animal. Tahr shooting is special, by all means use choppers to access blocks but hunters/doc chasing bulls around the mountain and then shooting it when its tired does nobody any favours.
 
I have previously worked as a hunting guide in the South Island and it is an incredible place
As a bloke currently sitting in MIQ then heading to Southlands, any suggestions on folks to talk to once I get out there?
 
As a bloke currently sitting in MIQ then heading to Southlands, any suggestions on folks to talk to once I get out there?
Some of these guys were very helpful when I first went across.


Generally a pretty helpful bunch on Fishhunt and if you are heading to Southland you’ll find plenty of helpful advice over a few beers at your local rural pub.
 
Thanks for the advice! I've definitely been looking at joining a club in the local area and trying to make some contacts.

As the gun licensing is going to take me a good while to attain I'm hoping to start a bit of bow hunting.
You won't have any problems getting out matey I'm 100% sure of it, when I went out for work within a week guys on site were offering to take me hunting for the weekend "without any hints from me either"
Enjoy the experience
Cheers Jimmy
 
You won't have any problems getting out matey I'm 100% sure of it, when I went out for work within a week guys on site were offering to take me hunting for the weekend "without any hints from me either"
Enjoy the experience
Cheers Jimmy
I don't doubt it, folks have been seriously welcoming right from the start.
 
@MackayRSA getting in touch with the pig hunting clubs aswell can offer a sport that not many have experienced and youre likely to meet local guys that do other forms of hunting.
 
What time of year would you recommend going to New Zealand?
Thanks
JCS
Late March early to mid April would get you there for the Red rut or roar as they call it.
Your Himalayan Tahr and Chamois will be in their winter coats too.
Depending on where you are planning on visiting other deer species are available too.
Ballot system works on public land for some blocks .
 
I don't doubt it, folks have been seriously welcoming right from the start.
PM me when you settled in over here and I'll try hook you up with someone local to chase reds.$1000.00 chopper in and out is akso an option, some great high number red deer/chamois public blocks down your way is popular just need to find an off-sider to share costs but pm me I've got a few contacts mainly around Otago and the deer are actually rather out of control so I'm sure they won't mind getting you out for a walk.
 
PM me when you settled in over here and I'll try hook you up with someone local to chase reds.$1000.00 chopper in and out is akso an option, some great high number red deer/chamois public blocks down your way is popular just need to find an off-sider to share costs but pm me I've got a few contacts mainly around Otago and the deer are actually rather out of control so I'm sure they won't mind getting you out for a walk.
Really appreciate it, I'll definitely be sending you a message once we get our act together down in Southlands. I'm always well up for a walk, even if I'm just there to help with extraction.

Plus 1000bucks for a chopper seems very reasonable, maybe for my 30th Birthday next year...
 
I might be a bit out of date now but used to be 'Spot X' guide books or something like that, basically various guides for different sports showing approx locations for NZ's best free fishing or hunting on DoC land.

Tell u roughly the species in that area etc, intresting reading flicking throu them
 
get permits from the government hire a quad bike and get amongst it, you can have really good fun on public land, east cape north island lots off farmers will take a few dollars and allow you to take deer from their land, but it requires going into pubs buying a few rounds and having a chat
 
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