Game Animals of New Zealand

New Zealand is a small island nation situated in the South Pacific consisting of two major islands, North and South Island with a smaller one in the deep south called Stewart Island. For a small island nation we are blessed with a wonderful variety of game. All of which has been introduced by our forefathers in the late 1800 and early 1900’s providing some of the best hunting in the world from the lowly rabbit to the majestic Elk.

There are no predators other than the occasional hawk to keep the animal numbers under control. This resulted in an explosion of animal numbers and as all our game animals are introduced (non-native) there is no protection on them. Because of this there is little, to no restrictions on game limits or seasons. Most of us as youngsters hunted the rabbits and hares. These can be found in most areas of the country and if not hunted on a regular basis soon reach plague proportions and over run the farms and country side. Possums, introduced from Australia for the fur trade) are also fair game; these destructive pests cause major damage to our native forests. They are a nocturnal animal and provide a lot of fun spotlighting them.

Turkeys are found throughout the country. Many of the North American species are present and are often in quite large groups of up to thirty or more. Although not as wily as their North American counterparts, they do provide a lot of fun for the bow hunter plus of course they are great to eat. 

If more of a challenge is required in the fowl department, try hunting wild Peacock. These large birds have incredible eye sight and are very secretive. Getting in close can be a real challenge. In most cases the land owners don’t like them and will do their utmost to get rid of them. Their beautiful plumage and long flowing tail makes them a very desirable trophy 

Wallabies are found in isolated pockets and can be a wonderful change of pace. There are several different species, and can provide some great hunting. It can be quite funny when our Australian cousins come over here and find that it is open season on them, as Wallabies are protected in their native country, as are the Possums.  

Simon with his top goat trophy measuring 39inches tip to tip

Goats are found from one end of the country to the other. They originate from the domestic goat herds of yesteryear, and have adapted so well that they are often culled in their thousands by professional cullers to try and keep their numbers down. It’s not uncommon to find them in large herds of up to fifty or more. They prefer the strong hill country; and are at home, out in the open pasture or in the bush. Goats have, over the years provide wonderful training for budding hunters of all ages. New bow hunters love hunting “Stinky’s”. The Billy goats can make great trophies, with their horns reaching a span of up to 40 inches. (Twenty six to thirty inches is more the normal) and can make attractive trophies as long as the Taxidermist can get rid of the strong odor that the large Billie’s develop. Over years of mating they urinate all over their under bellies. This is apparently a strong attraction to the nannies in season (hence the nickname Stinky's). Often they can be found in fairly dense bush just by following your nose; they really can have a very distinctive smell.  The young are exceptionally good eating and their lean meat make great curries. The only deterrent to the keen hunter is their baby like cry when they are shot. . But goats are a wonderful “all season” game to help the hunter keep their eye in. 

Pigs are in abundance throughout New Zealand, preferring the hilly, dense bush areas. The Boars can grow a very impressive set of tusks and don’t hesitate to use them when cornered. The dense bush areas where they prefer to live makes it very difficult to get in close. The preferred time to hunt them for the bow hunter is early morning and late evening when they come out onto the open areas to root for fern roots and grubs. A very popular method of hunting wild boar is with dogs. A high degree of physical fitness is required while bush bashing in  trying to keep up with them. Usually the dogs manage to bail the pigs up in the bottom of a dense jungle like ravine. Many of these hunters scorn any form of weapon except a sticking knife. He then has to maneuver himself into a position to be able to stick the pig while dogs and furious Boar are constantly changing positions. Not for the faint heart nor the unfit.  
      

New Zealand has seven species of deer; some found throughout the entire country and some only in small pockets........

Fallow are the smallest deer species in New Zealand, and my personal favorite. (Probably because there is a herd found within a half hour drive from my home) I have enjoyed many hours studying and hunting these very agile and alert deer. A Fallow buck would probably be similar in body size and weight to a Whitetail doe found in North America. The does are smaller again. They are creatures of habit and do not require large areas to call home. They are an extremely alert and cunning deer working the valleys and wind changes to their advantage. The Fallow is the only deer, other than the Moose, to grow large palmated antlers. Some of the top trophies can have such large palmation they look like miniature Moose. The Fallow are a very popular species to hunt and can be found in small pockets throughout New Zealand. Apart from the herd in my area of North Auckland there are two other large herds in the North Island and one in the South Island 

Whitetail (Virginian) can be found on the smaller Stewart Island at the bottom of the South Island. This is where the main herd is. Another very small herd exists in the lower South Island. The specimens of Stewart Island are poor compared to their North American cousins. They inhabit heavy bush so there food quality is lacking. But they do provide a challenging hunt in the heavy native bush country that is found in those remote areas. 

Kevin Watson of Advanced Archery NZ with a very nice Sika Stag

Sika is an Asiatic species of deer who genus is related to Elk. They are only found in the central North Island but have adapted particularly well. Conditions suit them here as they produce larger antlers than they do in their countries of origin. They are a handsome spotted deer with antlers growing up to thirty inches in length with four points on each side. They are a very popular species with the hunting fraternity. Very alert and difficult to hunt, when alarmed they emit a piercing whistle alerting everything for miles around. They make an attractive trophy.

Kevin Watson with his malformed Ruse Stag

 
Rusa is also an Asian deer with gnarly antlers growing up to 32inches with four points per side. They are slightly larger in body size to the Sika, possibly similar to a large White tail buck from the Alberta area. They are found in several pockets in the North Island.

This Stag is 6years old and
estimate measurement is 450 SCI

Red deer is the most common deer in NZ and can be found almost throughout the entire length of the country. They are equally at home in the dense native bush and the open farm country. The Red deer have been very aggressive in their colonizing of the country over the past hundred or so years since they were liberated. They quickly became so over populated, that in order to relieve the pressure on the state forests from being over grazed they have been heavily culled over the past 60 years. The red deer are a large bodied animal with heavy thick antlers over 50 inches in length and with their multiple tines, make them look as though their antlers are out of proportion to their size. With an even 6 points per side they were called “a royal”. With an even 7pionts per side they were called an “imperial” these used to be regarded as outstanding trophies. But with the modern stud breading on the game farms those old English terms are almost a thing of the past. Now we have reds that look like moving trees with multiple points numbering up to 40 and more. 

Top young NZ bow hunter Simon with a young large bodied Samber
Stag

Young Samber Stag in Wallow

Same Samber stag at water hole, Note the typical New Zealand dense bush.

Sambar deer are the third largest deer in the world and the second largest deer in NZ.  These huge bodied deer are found in four pockets in the North Island, and are Asiatic in their origin. They are a very secretive shy deer and prefer the dense bush, making stalking them very difficult. Accessibility to them is very restricted and jealously guarded by the private land owners. Their antlers are similar to the other Asiatic deer but can be very heavy in circumference. They are a highly prized trophy. 

The Elk or Wapiti is the largest deer in New Zealand. They are found down in the rugged Fiordland area in the south western part of the South Island. This is a wild and very beautiful part of the country, only accessible by boat or plane. During the bugle the wapiti areas are balloted, limiting access during this period. Their numbers have dwindled over the past 40 years from over hunting and inbreeding with the red deer. Apparently the aggressive Red deer are one of the few deer species that will cross breed. This cross breeding occurs also with the Sika deer. This is something that countries, such as North America should consider before allowing Reds into their country. Trying to confine them to just the game ranches will not be enough to contain them from spreading. They are a very aggressive animal in the breading season, and could, in time, have a major effect on the North American Elk numbers

Moose were also liberated in the rugged Fiordland area but their numbers never built up, and have since died out with the last official sighting back in the 1960’s.

Chamois are the only antelope found in NZ. These beautifully small elegant animals are found in the Southern Alps, a mountain range running almost the full length of the South Island. Originally a mountain dweller, the Chamois have adapted very well to the lower bush valleys as well as the mountains. These are a real challenge to the bow hunter, particularly out on the mountain faces. They have very good senses and their eye sight is incredible. The bow hunter has the greater success in the bush, but even there they are a challenge. They have delicate horns that have rear facing hooks (much like a meat hook) which can grow up to 9 inches in length.

Carol Watson of Advanced Archery seen here with a nice female
Tahr, The only woman in NZ to have ever claimed one!

Probably the most sought after trophy in New Zealand is the Himalayan Tahr. Apart from the Himalayan Mountains, the Southern Alps in the South Island, is the only other place in the world where wild herds can be found of these wonderful, incredibly agile mountain dwellers. They are from the goat species and the best time to hunt them is early winter when they have their long flowing shaggy coat, and are more easily accessible before the winter snows set in. They have horns that have heavy bases that curve back to points,  a good trophy is 13 inches in length. Hunting Tahr and Chamois is not for the faint heart, and unless the hunter has local knowledge. Then hunting with an experienced guide or outfitter is a must. Any one claiming either of these wonderful animals with a bow will have a trophy and the memories to last a life time.         

Continuation.......

In the 1970s it was very quickly realized that there was a worldwide demand for deer products, e.g. Venison, antler velvet and later, the trophy trade. Farmers erected 6f-7ft fences and started breeding programs for predominantly the Red deer and the Fallow deer. Over the ensuing years, the demand for venison and velvet leveled out, at the same time the world wide demand for game hunting was gaining ground. Game ranches were set up, leading to a huge business for not only the game ranches, but the breeding and supplying, plus the multiple services that goes with it all.  

Like them, or hate them, Game ranches are here to stay. Providing otherwise unobtainable hunting and trophies to the clients. Because of the genetic breeding programs in place, the standard of trophies has improved dramatically. What used to be classed as a top red trophy is now, very much “run of the mill”. 350 SCI used to be a great trophy now 450 SCI is a good trophy.  500 SCI is a great trophy, and even 600+SCI has just recently been achieved. It appears that with top breeding, the sky is the limit. These monsters have to be seen to be believed.

Of course good hunting can be had in the State forests with no restriction too seasons and licenses. However due to hunting pressure, trophy quality is usually very poor. There is always the exception to this however as occasionally a good trophy is claimed, but often the genetics can be traced back to an “escapee” from one of the game ranches. Much to the chagrin of the game ranch owners escapes happen all too often, either through natural disasters, collapsing fences or trees falling across boundary fences allowing some great genetics to escape into the wild. Even overturned deer transporters caused by road accidents, has contributed to the genetic pool in the state forests when the deer have escaped out of the damaged vehicle, resulting in some great trophies being claimed. But generally it has to be said that if the hunter wants an exceptional trophy it’s the game ranches that are the “go to” places to hunt. Typically the antler mass of a 340SCI head is usually greater than the mass found on most mature North American elk.

The game ranches here in NZ are similar to the South African ones. Huge areas that are high fenced and very well managed with great accommodation. I have talked to owners in both countries about the ethics of hunting behind wire. Their arguments raise some quite interesting points of view e.g.  The game ranches provide top quality trophies that in most cases are just not available in the wild, due to indiscriminate hunting pressure from the hunter and poachers alike. The shear size of these animals can also be attributed to excellent food, good management and the ability of the deer to grow to a good maturity, often up to 7-10 years.  If the ranch is large enough, (and this of course depends on the various animals requirements), then the animals can and do lead a normal life going through their normal reproductive cycles free from poaching and predation and in many cases dying of natural causes. The high fence is of course, there for the owner to protect his investment plus enabling him to import new genes into his herd without his investment wandering off and becoming fair game on neighboring farms.

Top young breeder, Kerry Torpey with cut antlers of a
button buck, yes he was only 14 months old, imagine him in another 6 years

There are several “stud” breeders in my area that supply the game ranches. Two of whom have become close friends and I have discussed the ethics of breeding top trophies so they can be “liberated” on the game ranches. Their argument is on the lines that they, like most of us, are making a living, while also creating employment. They are also improving the genetics of these fabulous animals. They also ensure the animals are located on the game ranches at a young age to allow them to adapt to their new environment years before they become trophies.

Occasionally I raise the subject about the farm raised deer being easier to hunt because they are not wild; usually this raises a good laugh. Deer by their nature are wild and usually when they escape, or are liberated onto the large game ranches at a very early age; seem to become wilder and even more cunning in a very short space of time. On the few occasions that I have been offered a hunt on one of these properties, I have found this to be correct. They seem to develop an incredible ability to avoid the hunter which seems to boarder on the uncanny.

A few years ago, one of these breeders asked me if I could take out a Fallow buck. Apparently he was proving to be impossible to work with. He had become a loner for several months and had to be removed, but the farmer did not want a rifle hunter cutting loose, so he called me. When I arrived it was to find that the buck had isolated himself in a single paddock of only 100 acres. “Well” I thought this is not going to be much of a challenge. The paddock that he had chosen to hold up in had several quite steep gullies in it with a few pockets of scrub and bush. I immediately sat on one of the ridges and started to glass the area, but saw nothing. Later that day after walking through, what I thought to be every square inch of the property. I returned to the farmer and said that he was no longer there. The very puzzled farmer said that he must be there and he would put the dogs in there the next day. Sure enough he rang me to say that the Buck was still there, and when could I come back. Two days later I was back and once again covered the entire area without luck. 

Resting up on a hill face I decided to have my lunch, while keeping an eye out for any sign of him. Half an hour later I stood up and moved a couple of paces to a small clump of scrub to relieve myself, when almost under my feet the Buck erupted out of the long grass and raced off over a ridge. He had been holed up in a small depression in the ground, while knowing full well that I was only a few yards away.

For five frustrating, but enjoyable days I hunted that wily buck. During that whole time he never once presented a shot. On the sixth day I jumped him and once again without providing a chance, he bolted over a ridge. I had a fairly good idea where he would be heading so scrambling through some scrub and around the face of a ridge. I quickly set up an ambush.  It was only a couple of minutes when he came trotting past me at 30 yards. I knew this was going to be the only chance I was going to get. I drew back and led him by several feet, the arrow was a little far back but cut the main artery and 180 yards later he was down.

Ray with huge Fallow Buck - note the palmation

I really had to take my hat off to that buck. He knew I was after him and I know that if that buck had not been confined to such a small area, I would never have been able to get near him. This really opened my eyes. What I thought was going to be an easy culling job, showed me how quickly they revert to becoming wild and even more cunning. When these “farm reared” deer are released on the huge game ranches, they become a worthy challenge.

             
  

Game farm hunting is not everyone’s “cup of tea” Although top trophies can be obtained; they can cost a considerable amount of money. Plus the question of ethics may make some people shy away from hunting on game ranches. My personal opinion is, if the hunter is after an exceptional trophy, or is traveling half way around the world for a one to two week hunt, then maximize your chances by going with a top outfitter or hunt a game ranch. Particularly if the Game ranch is large enough to allow the game complete freedom of movement that it would normally require in the wild.

This is a very brief outline of the hunting that is available in New Zealand

Written by Ray Scott (Dream Rider)  

Contributions by Kevin Watson of Advanced Archery in New Zealand