New Zealand provides the opportunity to hunt huge roaring Red Stags, large Elk, Fallow Bucks, nimble Chamois, Wild Boar, feral goats and Arapawa wild rams. Take in the North Island as well, and you can hunt Sika , Rusa and Sambar Deer. They also offer a wide range of other activities so you can experience more of our beautiful country while you are here. It’s easy to see why one visit is usually not enough! At Kiwi Safaris the objective is simple – to provide you with the best possible New Zealand hunting experience, and do it better than anyone else. They have a track record of over 20 seasons, so join them for the greatest hunting experience down under!

Himalayan Tahr
Kiwi Safaris believe that the Himalayan Tahr epitomizes the best of New Zealand hunting. A magnificent animal, the Tahr thrives in a rugged environment and is always challenging to hunt. Kiwi Safaris pride themselves on offering the best of free range Tahr hunting with a successful Tahr hunt being a definite experience of a lifetime.

The sight of a mature bull Tahr in full rut, standing proudly on an exposed rock bluff, with the wind blowing his flared mane, is truly awe-inspiring! Originally from the Himalayan Mountains of Asia, these magnificent mountain goats were liberated in New Zealand’s Southern Alps in 1904. Although both the bulls and nannies have horns, those of the bulls are much longer and heavier. However it is not just the horns that make a fine trophy – the lion-like mane on the bull is every bit as important as good horn length. The Tahr is the perfect extreme mountain animal with only the Rocky Mountain goat challenging him as the ‘King of the Mountain’. The Tahr bounds down almost vertical rock bluffs, their hooves barely touching the rock, while we only can stand and watch in awe.

At Kiwi Safaris, 95% of all their Tahr hunting is on foot – without the need for helicopter access. They are the only hunting company that owns its private hunting areas that border one another and have excellent 4×4 vehicle access. The bulls exist either solo or in small bachelor groups, but at the onset of the rut in early May they join the female groups. A mature bull can weigh up to 300 lbs and can be tough to put down, so they recommend a heavier caliber rifle like the 7 mm mags, or 300 win mags through to the .338, as being ideal.

They hunt the eastern side of the Southern Alps, where it is all ranch country – ranging from rolling hills to steep mountain country at the back of the properties. A Tahr hunt, while being quite physical, is achievable by most people. Kiwi Safaris have successfully guided clients as young as nine years of age to secure the trophy of a lifetime.

It is recognized that Kiwi Safaris New Zealand has the finest foot hunting for trophy bull Tahr in New Zealand. All their tahr hunting is conducted on private land, free from the constant pressure of resident hunters, meat recovery and heli-hunting on all public land. This ensures you the best alpine hunting experience possible, with plenty of time to look over many bulls in order to harvest that dream trophy. Don’t be fooled by the “Helicopter assisted” hype that some may promote. It is completely unnecessary to have to use a helicopter to hunt Tahr. Kiwi Safaris have taken more trophy bull Tahr with the bow than any other outfitter in New Zealand.

For Tahr hunting, the best time for the capes is from May through to October and it is possible to see in excess of 100 Tahr a day – with many trophy bulls amongst them.

Red Stag
The spine chilling roar of the rutting stag is enough to give even the most hardened hunter a massive dose of buck fever! Native to Europe and a close relative of the Rocky Mountain elk, red deer were first introduced to New Zealand in 1851. With the mild climate, the lack of any predators, plus widespread releases, they soon established throughout the North and South Islands. The Red Stag can be hunted from late February through to the end of August. Many consider March and April the most exciting hunting, as this is when the rut is on.

Of all the deer species found in New Zealand, Red Deer are the most common; and almost always the most sought after quarry of the hundreds of overseas hunters who regularly visit our shores. Kiwi Safaris offer the finest free-range and estate trophy hunting for Red Stag in New Zealand. Kiwi Safaris hunt the South Islands, on their own large private sheep and cattle properties, where rolling hill country is interspersed with clear mountain streams and areas of native forest. The Red Stag is about the size of a mule deer buck, so .270 to the .300 magnums are popular calibers. Every year they take trophy stags from about 300 SCI to 450 SCI. In good growing years, the largest stags will exceed 500 SCI. Top free-range stags will measure from around 260 to 300 SCI. The nature of the terrain makes free-range hunting physically challenging!

New Zealand Elk

Amongst the largest of the deer species, the magnificent Elk, known locally as Wapiti, were introduced in 1905 in the inhospitable Fiordland National Park in the southwestern corner of the South Island. The area comprises steep glaciated valleys clad in dense rain forests, surrounded by towering bluffs and snow-capped mountains. Fiordland is subject to rainfall levels exceeding 300 inches per annum. The Elk adapted readily to their new environment and in the early years grew antlers approaching the best that their North American forebears have produced. However, the herd expansion was halted by the topography and the fast encroaching red deer herds – with which they interbred.

Kiwi Safaris hunt Elk on several of their properties close to Sherwood and Stew Point Lodges. Every year they take some exceptional bulls, with both rifle and bow in the 300-400+ SCI range. Elk can be hunted from the middle of February through to August. The Elk bugle starts in March and continues through April.

Fallow Buck

Originally from Europe, the first Fallow Deer were introduced into New Zealand in 1864. There were 26 different liberations and now they are the second most wide spread deer in New Zealand. Despite its small size, the Fallow buck is very aggressive, especially during the ‘rut’, when vicious and often fatal fights occur between bucks. Fallow deer in New Zealand exhibit three distinct color phases: the most common being black or chocolate brown (melanistic), then the brown and spotted coat (menil), and also the white Fallow. Several of each color phase are taken every year. Only males have antlers, and Fallow bucks can be hunted from March through to September. The antlers differ from Red Deer and are more like the Moose, round near the bases and palmated out towards the ends. During the rut, which starts in early April and finishes in May, the bucks are very vocal, making a ‘grunt’ or ‘croak’ noise, as they issue their challenges. Kiwi Safaris offer both free range and estate hunts for Fallow buck, on large private sheep and cattle properties that feature rolling hill country interspersed with areas of native forest and scrub. Over the past seven years, the size of the Fallow deer being taken has risen quite remarkably and it’s becoming common to get bucks scoring greater than 230 SCI. Typically between 40-50 bucks are taken a year, and after the Red Stag they are the most favored deer species. Hunts for Fallow are conducted on three properties which are all within a short drive of one another.

Chamois

Native to central and southern Europe, the Chamois is one of the most graceful game animals found in New Zealand. It is also one of the most difficult trophies to obtain. Introduced in 1907, Chamois are now found throughout the mountain ranges of the South Island. As a member of the antelope family, the Chamois has exceptional eyesight and the ability to run effortlessly in the roughest terrain.

The bucks are usually solitary animals although they are sometimes found in small bachelor groups. With the onset of the rut in April they join the female family groups for about one month. During the mating season the older bucks become quite aggressive, and intolerant of the younger males, driving them off by emitting a whistle sound as a warning.

Chamois like the Tahr, can be hunted year round, but the most popular time is from April through to August when the capes are long and black in color with a silver strip along the spine. Both bucks and does have horns, but those of the female are normally thinner. Chamois are a small nimble animal and don’t require a large caliber, but the rifle should be flat shooting with good optics. Kiwi Safaris hunt the Chamois on foot using the spot and stalk method of hunting. Access is by 4×4 vehicle and it’s possible to encounter Chamois while hunting for tahr. They can be hunted from their lodges at Sherwood Estate or at Stew Point in the Rangitata Valley on Quartz Creek. Chamois prefer the roughest country and hunters should have excellent fitness to hunt Chamois on foot.

Arapawa Rams & Feral Goats

Arapawa sheep have a fascinating history and make equally interesting trophies. Descendants of fine wool merino sheep, they were originally abandoned on Arapawa Island in the 1800′s as a source of food for returning sealers and whalers. This hardy sheep has developed as a distinctive breed, the rams carrying large spiralling horns which make a great trophy.

While Feral Goats are widespread throughout New Zealand, trophy billies are hard to find and are an exciting addition to a Kiwi Safaris hunt.

Sika, Rusa & Sambar Deer

A trip to the North Island will enable you to include Sika, Rusa and Sambar deer. These deer species are all of Asian origin, preferring the more temperate conditions of the northern island of New Zealand. Renowned for their cunning, a trophy Sika typically carries eight points while the Rusa and the huge Sambar carry six! The highly vocal Sika rut in April, whereas the Rusa extends into August. Sambar mate from September through to January.