School me on New Zealand Red Stag

[RiverRat1]

Debating going next spring for a Stag and taking my family.

Things I learned are they charge by score (SCI), there is no license to buy, the place is beautiful, and it looks like everyone gets their stag...whatever size they want.

So what I don't know.... Pretty much everything else!

How many Stag they have? Are the hunts free range? Do they compare maybe to hiring an outfitter in New Mexico for elk or easier/harder?

What do other activities cost compared to other places like Alaska?

And anything else that one can tell me to look out for in an outfitter.

[LivinADream]

In

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[Mudslinger]

Went in 2006. Killed a 320, low Silver Medal at that time. A huge high fence place (only saw the fence when we went thru the gate off the road) and this was one of the smallest Stags I saw. I hunted on the South Island outside of Christchurch. If you think you are in shape, think again, it is not that high, but STEEP AND STEEPER!
I would love to go again, but per animal trophy fees, it is cheaper to hunt Africa where I go.

Absolutely beautiful country. I saw a lot of the places that the Lord of the Rings was shot.

[txwhitetail]

It sounds like after looking into it they have more high fence than low fence.


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[Dry Bones]

If you don't mind the question, Who are you considering using? I do know that at times the Fly fishing can be REALLY good (big trout). Also it appears there may be a possibility to shoot some feral goats? Could be entertaining.

[rladner]

Things to do depends on where you are going. North island, south island. Look at my recap from July. Wife and I did some tourist things. Plenty more than that but gives you a place to start. Do your research though. PM me if you want more details on that. Rental cars are comparable to here in the US. I actually wanted a smaller stag but couldn't pass the opportunity that presented itself

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[RiverRat1]

Just started looking. Want to figure out if it's something I want to pay for.

[marceco]

Was wondering if the recent shooting and call for voluntary gun confiscation will effect the ability to hunt ?

[6.5 shooter]

All I can say is get ready for the longest flight in the world...

[RiverRat1]

All I can say is get ready for the longest flight in the world...

This is factored into my thoughts. And really is a big negative. Flight for a family of 4 isn't cheap either.

[6.5 shooter]

This is factored into my thoughts. And really is a big negative. Flight for a family of 4 isn't cheap either.

The good news is, once you get there the milk is cheap....lol

[TildenHunter]

Most trophy stags will be in a high fence. There is free range hunting but it doesn’t hold a candle to high fence over there. Great scenery, better people and awesome hunting!


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[skiguy327]

I believe there are tons of free range red stag in Argentina. If its the animal and not the location you can probably save some money on the hunt and for sure have a shorter flight.


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[gatorgrizz27]

If you want free range and adventure, look into the tahr hunts. It’s on my bucket list.

[firehunt fish]

RiverRat1,

Comparatively, NZ can be an expensive hunt... The giant mutant stags that you see are almost exclusively hunted from high-fence estate properties, but that doesn't mean that you can't get a really rewarding fair chase experience from an estate hunt. As Mudslinger said, the mountains are deceivingly steep and the terrain is challenging. The matagouri thorns and sand flies are a whole other issue... Most of the high-fence properties are massive.... My wife and I hunted a 20,000 acre private cattle/sheep ranch of which about 8,000 acres was in high-fence. The low fence property had plenty of wild stags, fallow deer, arapawa sheep, and both tahr and chamois up high... However, the stags you will encounter in the free range areas will not compare to the estate stags, but the tahr and chamois on both private and public land can be world-class caliber...

You may want to consider what we did which was an early season management hunt. The daily rates were considerably lower and the trophy fees for management animals were very reasonable. Not too many outfitters in NZ offer these hunts, but it may make the trip affordable. Check out Kiwi Wilderness Safaris on the South Island. Peter Chamberlain is the owner/outfitter and he offers very affordable no-frills options for management and trophy hunts on estate, private, and true wilderness areas. He also offers very affordable, completely wilderness tahr and chamois hunts that do not require the use of a helicopter provided you can make the hike up the mountain.

Also allow yourself a few days to fly fish for trout. NZ has some of the best wild trout fishing in the world and the average size of the fish will amaze you. The flight from anywhere in the USA does suck... There is no denying that, but I am still glad we made the trip... Plan for a few days to rent a car and just drive around. The scenery on the island is beautiful, the roads are good, and there is no traffic to speak of, but the gas did cost $6.50 a gallon...