New Zealand Red Stag and Fallow Deer Hunt
$10,000
Hunt New Zealand for a massive 380-450″ Red Stag in the dramatic landscapes of the South Island. New Zealand Red Stag hunting is renowned for producing world-record trophies. Your hunt for these magnificent stags begins on foot just minutes from the picturesque lodge.
You will also venture into the surrounding mountainous terrain to hunt SCI Gold class Fallow Deer. This is a premier opportunity to pursue exceptional Fallow bucks exceeding 230″, including the highly sought-after chocolate-phased variations.
Book this spectacular hunt from March through mid-July. See the “Hunting Season” below for further information.
Having hunted with this outfitter personally, I recommend them very highly. Both the guide expertise and the trophy quality were absolutely exceptional. If you are looking for a top-tier hunt, this is it!
Included
- 4 day hunt
- 6 nights lodging
- 1 guide per hunting group (only one group in the lodge at a time)
- Price includes 1 hunter and 1 free observer
- Red Stag 380-450″ trophy fee
- Fallow Deer 230″+ (SCI Gold) trophy fee
- Field prep/caping
- Transfer of trophies to the taxidermist
- Lodging, meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, wine, and beer
- Wi-Fi at the lodge
- Laundry if needed
- Transportation to and from the airport
Excluded
- Helicopter fee • Allow 1 hour per animal (tahr, chamois optional) at approximately $2,000 per hour
- Trophy fees for any additional animals taken
- Observer is $175 per day if not included in the package
- Gratuities
- Dip/pack/shipment of of trophies
- Taxidermy
- Airfare to/from Nelson, New Zealand
- Lodging and touring before and after the hunt
• Due to price fluctuations, you will get a firm quote prior to booking
Accommodations
Hunting Lodge
Nestled in a secluded mountain valley, the 4.5-star hunting lodge offers ultimate privacy paired with breathtaking panoramic views. At the heart of the lodge is the expansive great room, featuring a magnificent wall of windows that frames the rugged New Zealand peaks. Relax in the comfortable seating by the crackling wood stove during crisp alpine mornings, and unwind in front of the television after a rewarding day in the field.Private Bedroom/Bathroom
Designed exclusively for your group’s privacy, the dedicated hunter’s wing features two well-appointed bedrooms with king beds and premium, luxurious bedding. The adjacent bathroom serves as your private spa, complete with a walk-in shower, deep soaking spa bathtub, and a spacious vanity area. It is the perfect, secluded retreat to recharge between hunts.Food
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily in the dining area of the great room. From the homemade breads to the robust selection of meats, every meal is fresh, delicious, and expertly prepared. They will work with any dietary restrictions you may have.Weapons for this Hunt
Average Shot Distance
Average shot distance for this hunt is 100-300 yards.Rifle Options
- Use the Outfitter’s Rifle (Recommended) Due to the complexity and difficulty of bringing a rifle into New Zealand, it is recommended that you use the rifle from the outfitter. I have personally used their Sako 90 Peak in .308 with a suppressor and Swarovski scope. It was an excellent rifle and is optimized for mountain hunting. There is no additional fee to use the outfitter’s rifle and ammunition.
- Import Your Rifle into New Zealand Importing a rifle into New Zealand is straightforward, but requires strict adherence to the laws. You need a Visitor’s Firearms License to use a firearm unsupervised during your visit to New Zealand. You must submit an application for this license at least four to six months prior to your arrival. Visit the Fireams Safety Authority to fill out this application.
You will need several things when completing the application. Gather all of the items you will need before starting your application. You must declare what ammunition you intend to bring at this time. Plan to bring two packets of ammunition, preferably what your gun is sighted in with. If you book your hunt with Trophy Hunt Bookers, the outfitter’s firearms license number, name, address, and email address will be supplied to you.
Visit this page to read about which firearms are allowed into New Zealand.
Rifle Calibers for Big Game Hunts in New Zealand
- .270 Winchester: A classic, time-tested round that shoots flat and easily handles New Zealand’s big game animals.
- 7mm Remington Magnum / .300 Winchester Magnum: The ultimate big game hunting rifles. They carry massive energy at extended ranges, making them perfect for targeting heavier animals that need serious knock-down power.
Hunting Season
The New Zealand Red Stag and Fallow Deer hunting season runs from March through mid-July. The highly anticipated Red Stag “roar” can be experienced between March 20 and April 20, delivering an incredibly thrilling hunt. However, late-season hunting is equally rewarding, offering superior visibility and frequent encounters with mature bulls. Fallow deer action remains excellent all season long.
Hunting Environment
This hunt takes place at the end of Fall and well into the New Zealand winter. Temperatures in May average in the mid-50’s for highs and around 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the low. In July the average highs are in the upper 40’s dropping to the lower 30’s at night. Heavy morning frosts are common leaving ice on the ground well into the morning.
Travel Details
Flights to New Zealand
You will fly in to Auckland (AKL) on the North Island, collect your baggage on arrival, and go through customs. Nonstop flights from the US to Auckland operate out of:- Los Angeles (LAX)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- New York (JFK)
- Houston (IAH)
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- Honolulu (HNL)
We are happy to help you with travel arrangements if desired.
New Zealand Entry Requirements
Approximately 1 month before departure:
You must download the NZeTA app and apply for travel entry into New Zealand. It is an easy process that will take about 10 minutes. This should be done about a month before departure. You will receive an email that your application was approved and it will show as approved in the app. You may need to show this when entering New Zealand, but usually it is automatically linked to your passport number.24 Hours Prior to departure to New Zealand:
You should download the NZTD app. This is the New Zealand Traveler Declaration that you need to fill out and submit within the 24 hours prior to your departure. This will be needed to go through customs in Auckland. This is again about a 10 minute process. If you don’t do this, you will be asked to fill out a paper form that may make the Customs process take slightly longer.New Zealand Travel Tip
New Zealand tries to protect their country from invasive pests, seeds, and soil-borne diseases. Therefore, you should take care to wash your hunting boots before bringing them to New Zealand. If you don’t do this, they will inspect your boots at Customs and clean your boots for you if needed.Additional Animals to Hunt
| SPECIES | PRICE |
| Red Stag (380-450″) | $6,500 |
| Red Stag (451-500″) | $10,500 |
| Red Stag (501-550″) | $14,500 |
| Red Stag (551-600″) | $20,500 |
| Red Stag (600″ +) | call for price and availability |
| Tahr | $4,500 (plus helicoptor time) |
| Chamois | $3,500 (plus helicoptor time) |
| Fallow Deer | $3,500 |
| Arapawa | $950 |
| Feral Goat | $950 |
| Merriam Turkey | $250 |
| Helicopter (usually 1 to 1.5 hours) | $2,000 per hour approximately |
Deposit
A deposit of 50% is required to book the hunt. The deposit can be paid by sending a personal check, wire transfer, or credit card (with 3.75% credit card fee).
The remaining balance will be due at the hunting lodge when the hunt is complete. You can pay the balance in US cash or with a credit card (with 3.5% credit card fee).
The remaining balance will be due at the hunting lodge when the hunt is complete. You can pay the balance in US cash or with a credit card (with 3.5% credit card fee).
Cancellation Policy
All initial booking deposits are non-refundable. However, we understand that unexpected events can happen. If you cancel your hunt, your deposit will not be lost. We will hold your deposit on file and allow you to reschedule your hunt for the following year. Please contact us immediately to choose your new dates for the next season, subject to current availability.
