Foreigner looking for weekend hunt opportunities in New Zealand

Hello there, American here looking for some guidance...

I'll be in Sydney for work June-->mid-July. It has been a life long dream to hunt in New Zealand, and if possible I'd like to take advantage of the proximity - however I'll essentially only have weekends available for travel & recreation. I would like to make at least one backpacking trip to NZ. Knowing nothing of DIY hunting opportunities there, I'm wondering if you can share with me some knowledge & experience.

Initial questions:
1. Feasibility of a DIY 2 day backpack hunt for deer, boar, or red stag? Are there hunting seasons and public land opportunities for a foreigner?
2. Weaponry - is it possible to rent a rifle, or a bow for that matter?
3. Location - is the south island the way to go? Time constraints being what they are, I'd like to minimize time from airport to mountain. Also, if hunting isn't feasible, where are the most magnificent NZ views to be found for someone who can cover a lot of ground/elevation in two days?
4. Fishing - the fly rod will come with as well, and would be grateful for some ideas there too.

Any advice you can share is greatly appreciated. Happy hunting!

Welcome aboard
It is possible to do deer , trout and marlin in one day (annual competition here) however I think, to make the most of it, you will need more than a weekend. South Island would be good but remember the weather at this time of the year.
Look forward to hearing how you get on.

Due to your time constraints I would recommend a guided hunt. I have never used them but give these guys a call - Southern Hunting Adventures | Trade Me

Do a few more days than a weekend if you can, diy is easy enough, I do it most years over there.

Just as long as you're aware those farmed freaks red stags with points going everywhere that you see a lot of other Americans shooting don't actually exist in the wild. Wild reds are quite a bit smaller, look a lot better in my opinion though.

I'm an aussie and I can vouch for it here being great hunting
Have you considered trying to get out in Aus?

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Flying into chch and heading up one of the passes would probably be your best bet, not sure on the fishing seasons gut there are a few fish around Canterbury rivers

Red deer will be hit and miss depending where ya go at that time of year mate.

They do not move about as much. That's not to say you won't find them in the right type of country.

West coast of the south island is the place for scenery and Thar and chamois are the main targets that time of year.
Send me a pm. I may be able to help you out for a long weekend hunt on reds, just bring yourself a reasonable level of fitness and some outdoor gear and you will be fine.



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The firearm issue will probably be your biggest hurdle, overcome by going out with a forum member!

I am happy to take you out for a duck if that helps. It's easy to find somewhere to hunt but it would be hard to be sucessfull in that short amount of time without a guided hunt.

If you want big antlers and don't mind behind the wire (they are wild deer) you could check out high peak station as they are good guys.
HIGH PEAK STATION - Home

Fish and Game have just closed the winter fishing season as the rivers are half fucked due to dairying and well on their way to being totally fucked.

Thanks, Sako - that Polaris competition looks like alot of fun, you folks do it right! I'll focus on South Island for sure, and prepare for cooler weather, especially at elevation - will need to research this point more. Marlin would be a blast, but if it means another day in the hills, I'll probably have to forgo the deep sea fishing with limited time.

hotbarrels - Great suggestion, they do offer 2 day hunts, which I hadn't seen before. I put in a request for details to see what options are realistic with my timeline and ballpark success rates. Presumably it takes more time to access higher country for chamois - I won't be springing for a helicopter this time around.

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Originally Posted by Bavarian_Hunter

Do a few more days than a weekend if you can, diy is easy enough, I do it most years over there.

Just as long as you're aware those farmed freaks red stags with points going everywhere that you see a lot of other Americans shooting don't actually exist in the wild. Wild reds are quite a bit smaller, look a lot better in my opinion though.

I'm an aussie and I can vouch for it here being great hunting
Have you considered trying to get out in Aus?

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I definately would like to get out and shoot something interesting in Australia if possible, where I'll have more time on the ground to figure things out. The NZ portion I'll want to plan in advance to save some on airfare. A smaller "natural" stag would do just fine. You have to understand how irresistible these racks are to someone who grew up hunting elk, they're just beautiful. If you don't mind, I'll PM you to ask more about you're DIY excursions to the islands, very curious.

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Originally Posted by 223nut

The firearm issue will probably be your biggest hurdle, overcome by going out with a forum member!

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Agreed! If anyone is planning to hunt in the next 8 weeks, I'm more than happy to tag along and pack out some meat.

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Originally Posted by MassiveAttack

I am happy to take you out for a duck if that helps. It's easy to find somewhere to hunt but it would be hard to be sucessfull in that short amount of time without a guided hunt.

If you want big antlers and don't mind behind the wire (they are wild deer) you could check out high peak station as they are good guys.
HIGH PEAK STATION - Home

Fish and Game have just closed the winter fishing season as the rivers are half fucked due to dairying and well on their way to being totally fucked.

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That's good intel on the river situation, glad to find out early. From what I hear it'll be tough to DIY and close on a critter in two days without some truly inside knowledge. I'll take a look at highpeak, although my preference would be for "free range", if i'm inferring that right from other posts, as not being behind the wire.

@MassiveAttack not all winter fishing is closed, only the areas east of SH 1 the rest of normal winter fishing is open.

Hi Aballoga. I'm sure there are plenty of guys here who would be happy to take you out for a hunt, but 2 days is quite short to get to areas away from everyone else. I believe that if you are supervised by someone with a firearms license, then you don't require one yourself, so going with someone else and using their rifle under their supervision would be easiest for you.

June/July is mid winter here, so will be snow on most of the South Island mountains. I flew over them yesterday afternoon, and we have just had the first real snowfall of the year - everything above the bush line was covered in snow.

If you are ever down this way again in Spring (Sept/Oct) or Autumn (late April/May) I could put you onto a spot where you will see Red Deer, and I believe the fishing is okay - but you really need 4 days because of where it is. Plenty of deer though, was there 3 weeks ago and every time we went out hunting we saw deer. My 13 year old son shot 2 hinds and a stag. Not a lifetime trophy by any means, but typical of the area. This is on public land, with nearby private (very basic) hut accommodation, so cost is minimal.

It would be fair to say that there are more deer around now than I have ever known, and you can find them in some pretty unlikely places, so good luck.

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Originally Posted by aballoga

I definately would like to get out and shoot something interesting in Australia if possible, where I'll have more time on the ground to figure things out. The NZ portion I'll want to plan in advance to save some on airfare. A smaller "natural" stag would do just fine. You have to understand how irresistible these racks are to someone who grew up hunting elk, they're just beautiful. If you don't mind, I'll PM you to ask more about you're DIY excursions to the islands, very curious.

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No dramas man shoot one through.

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Chamois, red deer, fallow, tahr (with decent fitness) I could get you onto in a weekend- low chances of a world class trophy, but will definitely see animals and hunt properly-the kiwi way. Flick me a pm if you like.


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Aballoga you will do well going out with Josh

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Originally Posted by sako75

Aballoga you will do well going out with Josh

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Sarah wont be happy about it!

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Originally Posted by Malhunting

Sarah wont be happy about it!

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Ha, that's why you send them on holiday when you go hunting...

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Originally Posted by Sauer

Hi Aballoga. I'm sure there are plenty of guys here who would be happy to take you out for a hunt, but 2 days is quite short to get to areas away from everyone else. I believe that if you are supervised by someone with a firearms license, then you don't require one yourself, so going with someone else and using their rifle under their supervision would be easiest for you.

June/July is mid winter here, so will be snow on most of the South Island mountains. I flew over them yesterday afternoon, and we have just had the first real snowfall of the year - everything above the bush line was covered in snow.

If you are ever down this way again in Spring (Sept/Oct) or Autumn (late April/May) I could put you onto a spot where you will see Red Deer, and I believe the fishing is okay - but you really need 4 days because of where it is. Plenty of deer though, was there 3 weeks ago and every time we went out hunting we saw deer. My 13 year old son shot 2 hinds and a stag. Not a lifetime trophy by any means, but typical of the area. This is on public land, with nearby private (very basic) hut accommodation, so cost is minimal.

It would be fair to say that there are more deer around now than I have ever known, and you can find them in some pretty unlikely places, so good luck.

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Thanks Saur for the info, I'll pack the warm stuff. It looks like this will be a one shot opportunity for me, at least in the near future - so an autumn or spring visit isn't in the cards. But your hospitality is appreciated, same goes for the rest of you. I'm beginning to get optimistic this is doable.

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Originally Posted by JoshC

Ha, that's why you send them on holiday when you go hunting...

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haha, Sarah sounds like a charming and very understanding gal, will try not to get anyone in trouble. Josh - lets talk, messaging you shortly.

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Originally Posted by aballoga

haha, Sarah sounds like a charming and very understanding gal, will try not to get anyone in trouble. Josh - lets talk, messaging you shortly.

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When we married she vowed never to get in the way of my passion for hunting and the outdoors. So yep, shes very understanding.

Sounds good. :)

Aballoga arrives on Saturday - just grabbed a weekend - flies in Saturday and out Monday! I'm taking him on a red deer/chamois mission in Otago public land. Should be good - hoping to get him a couple of animals - or at least see one or two! Will throw a report up after the trip.

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Originally Posted by JoshC

Aballoga arrives on Saturday - just grabbed a weekend - flies in Saturday and out Monday! I'm taking him on a red deer/chamois mission in Otago public land. Should be good - hoping to get him a couple of animals - or at least see one or two! Will throw a report up after the trip.

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What a good bugger.

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Originally Posted by JoshC

Aballoga arrives on Saturday - just grabbed a weekend - flies in Saturday and out Monday! I'm taking him on a red deer/chamois mission in Otago public land. Should be good - hoping to get him a couple of animals - or at least see one or two! Will throw a report up after the trip.

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Good luck team - Aballoga, I'm sure you will have a ball. Hats off to you Josh, for making the effort.:thumbsup: