Hunting Guide New Zealand, New Zealand Deer Hunting : In Your Sights

Stravon Game Estate offers hunting trips for Trophy Red Stags, Fallow Deer and Game Birds. Let us guide you on one of your most memorable hunts through pristine New Zealand wilderness.

I N Y O U R S I G H T S

Hunting Guide New Zealand

Deer

RED STAG
'Cervus elaphus'

Red Stag are a large antlered species, similar to an Elk, with trophy heads of 6x6 (12 points) and more with a body weight of around 400lb. Here in New Zealand we are continuing to produce the largest Red Stags in the world.

The Red Stag is a sought after trophy by many international hunters to New Zealand and are the main deer species that inhabit many areas of the South Island. They were introduced from Europe in the 1850 s and have thrived throughout New Zealand.

Over the years we have seen and experienced such a change in the feral range of Red Deer. The deer numbers in the 60s & 70s increased to such proportional numbers, helicopter gun ships were used to get the numbers down.

To this day there is still helicopter hunting for Red Deer, on a much lesser scale, as the numbers are not there. Because of Helicopter hunting it can be very difficult for any hunter to hunt a Trophy Red Stag in the wild.

The 'Rut/Roar' starts late March and ends late April. This is a prime time to hunt Stags, as they are vocal, roaring out challenges to other stags in the area. Once you put a stalk on a Red Stag you can call them, when they Roar back, it still and will always get the hackles up on the back of my neck.

This gives the advantage of locating a stag by sound. This is the prime time for bowhunters. Red Stag can be hunted from February to September and is one of the most favoured animals of the South Pacific for all hunters around the globe.

FALLOW DEER
"Dama dama'

Fallow deer are resident in a few select areas of New Zealand. One of the features of the fallow deer is the pal-mated antlers, being flat similar to those of a moose, but on a smaller scale. In our private hunting area we have bloodlines, which produce some of the biggest Fallow deer available.

There is a range of hide colours ranging from black, pure white, Menial or spotted. With their antler formations and the differing colour skins they make a wonderful trophy for the wall. The 'Rut" for fallow deer begins in April and continues until the end of May.

Hunting Fallow is available February through September. The Fallow Buck During the 'Rut' gets very aggressive towards other animals and vegetation. They are very vocal with a croak like grunting noise as the Buck protects his females or issues his challenge to other Bucks.

Fallow deer graze on the top edge of the timberline, the edge of scrub line and can be found out in the open grass terraces as much as in the dense scrub. The Fallow Buck is a very timid and wary animal making this type of hunting very challenging.

During their Rut is the prime hunting for both rifle & bow hunters as this is when you will experience high numbers of Bucks.

Thar

HIMALAYAN TAHR
‘Hermitragus jemlahicus'

Himalayan Bull Tahr are the 'King of the Mountains' in the Southern Hemisphere, they are one of the most sought after trophy animals of the world. They inhabit the highest peaks in the South Island of New Zealand - "The Southern Alps".

The Tahr or Thar mountain goat -home country is the highest peaks in the world, the Himalayas. The Tahr s origin is Nepal & Tibet and was first released in 1904 to Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. Tahr have thrived in our high mountainous environment with sheer rock faces, glaciers & overhanging pinnacle bluff systems. A Big Bull Tahr can weigh up to 300lb and is a sight to see this magnificent agile animal navigate the steepest terrain.

This is where the bitter wind that blows through the Alps cools them down as it ruffles their mane; this is a sight that all Alpine hunters will admire.

The Tahr is indeed a trophy for any hunter that will foot the mountain. It is not only the hunt that is mind blowing; it is also the trophy of the horns & the long mane of a winter skin that is an attraction to trophy hunters.

It is also one of the most difficult trophies to obtain, with the ruggedness of the country & the mountain weather patterns.

Our foot hunting Tahr hunts are on some of the best Tahr hunting properties in New Zealand.

Each season we guide clients to the top of mountain peaks to be rewarded with their efforts with the end result being a big Bull Tahr. We have 4x4 access as well as helicopter access to our own exclusive private hunting areas.

Access with the use of Helicopter will save those legs; this is a very exciting experience in itself and will no doubt be one of the highlights you will ever get to experience.

The 'Rut' for the Bull Tahr is from May through to August in which they group up with their 'Nannies' (females). Bull Tahr are horned animals and produce one of the best hides and neck capes of any game animal, during the winter months (April - August).

A world-class trophy animal, living in an environment that tests the skills of every hunter.

WAPITI BULL (ELK)
'Cervus elgphus nelsoni'

Wapiti were first introduced from America in1905. Wapiti are and always will be, one of New Zealand's hardest trophies to obtain free range. Because of the very low numbers of Wapiti in the wild all of our Wapiti hunts are on private Game Ranches.

Wapiti are a large antlered species and are the largest round horned deer in the world averaging around 6x6 (12 points) and larger, with their body weight going up to 1000lb. The Wapiti inhabit very selective areas of New Zealand and are the biggest of the New Zealand deer species.

The best of these trophies will often exceed sixty inches in both length and spread. The prime time to hunt a Wapiti Bull is during their Rut, which is March through to end of April.

The Bugle is on the same time as the Red Stag Roar and this is a great time for rifle, bow & muzzleloader hunts with exciting hunting opportunities available. Hunting Wapiti is available from February to September.

ALPINE CHAMOIS
'Rupicapra rupicapra'

Chamois in the Southern Alps of the South Island were introduced in 1907 and are the only free ranging population outside of Europe and the Middle East

Chamois - an agile alert mountain antelope that has the sharpest of senses. The Chamois habitat is throughout the South Island, living at high altitudes above the timberline. Both Buck (male) and Doe (female) are regarded as top trophies that produce similar horn growth.

Chamois are hunted all year round with their 'Rut' being April through to June. The Buck Chamois are one of the most fascinating animals to hunt during the Rut. Their antics towards the Does & their aggression towards other Buck Chamois makes for an entertaining & eventful hunt.

This is a great time for Bow hunters, as protective as the Bucks are towards the Does, if they see movement or are threatened by shape they can cover the steepest terrain in a very quick time towards you.

Often a Chamois Buck during the Rut can walk right up to you as if to run you off and will emit a sharp whistling sound. During this time the Alpine Chamois are in their dark winter skins. Throughout the year into the summer months their coats change to golden tan in colour.

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