hunting
New Zealand offers
some of the finest big game trophy hunting in the world.
Dedicated hunters hold this country in high regard for the
quality of its trophies, the outstanding alpine and forest
habitats and the year round open season for deer species.
Hunting permits are readily available free of charge to
responsible hunters from New Zealand and overseas in order to
keep animal numbers under control. Our twenty Forest Parks and
countless reserves offer a superb fair chase challenge to the independent hunter. Visitors need to declare
imported firearms to New Zealand Customs and obtain a permit from
New Zealand Police.
Our principal big game animals are wapiti, red, sika, rusa,
sambar, fallow and whitetail deer as well as Himalayan thar,
Austrian chamois, wild pigs and goats. Small game includes
rabbits, hares and opossums as well as waterfowl and upland game
birds (in season).
Many visitors hire a professional hunting guide to ensure they
get good results and bag a worthy trophy. New Zealands
steep terrain can be physically demanding and local hunting
knowledge is essential for success, so it makes good sense to go
into the hills with an expert. Helicopter access into remote
areas is generally the best way of gaining a top trophy. In
recent years blocks of private land have been opened up as trophy
game reserves. This means the hunter can study animals and assess
trophy potential before beginning to stalk his quarry.
Seasonal factors to consider are the deer mating period in April
to May and the casting of antlers by October, so generally trophy
hunting is confined to April to September.
If you crave the excitement of the chase there is no better
hunting grounds than the green forested hills of New Zealand.
(also see Hunting Regions)
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