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 |
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 |
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 |
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. |
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! |
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 |
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 |
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