Hunting in New Zealand

Cervus elaphus scoticus

Red Deer are native throughout Europe. Stags have been introduced to New Zealand across the country during the late 80’s and early 90’s. The first specimens came from English and Scottish stock. The animals spread rapidly throughout the country helped by abundant natural food supply, no competition and no natural predators.

Red deer have a relatively dark, reddish-brown coat. However, their antlers are probably their most distinctive feature. Red stags have the largest antlers in the world relative to their body size.

One of the biggest differences between elk and red stag is their size. Red deer are by no means a small animal, but elk are significantly larger.

Cervus canadensis nelsonii

Wapiti was gifted to New Zealand by President Roosevelt in 1909, with 20 animals being released in George Sound, Fiordland in the South Island.

Bull Elk is one of the most impressive antlered deer trophies available to the hunter. The elk (Cervus canadensis) or wapiti is one of the largest species within the deer family.

In Winter they have a yellowish to brownish grey colour with a blackish underside and cream rump patch. In Summer their body coat is more tawny, reddish or light bay with dark legs.

Like Red Deer, which share their genetic makeup with elk and as such can interbreed, New Zealand elk trophies regularly feature amongst the most impressive in the world.

Hemitragus jemlahicus

Tahr and chamois were introduced to New Zealand in the early days of European settlement for hunting. Both animals have found the Southern Alps of the South Island ideal habitat.

Himalayan tahr are large goat-like animals, native to the central Himalayan ranges of India and Nepal. In New Zealand the best tahr are found in the central Southern Alp mountians close to the Rakaia river.

Tahr are generally found in the alpine grassland zone, where they graze on snow tussocks, alpine herbs and sub-alpine shrubland plants. The male tahr’s summer coat is a reddish-brown, females a medium brown, both turning dark brown in winter. The bull tahr has an impressive mane of long hair around the neck and shoulders.

Dama dama

The Fallow deer is native to Europe, they were first introduced to New Zealand between 1860-1910. They are now widespread on both main islands. They mainly inhabit areas of forest with adjacent grassland feeding on various leaves and twigs of woody plants, sedges and grasses with a small amount of bark, ferns, lichens and moss.

Fallow deer are a small deer species whose forelegs are shorter than the hind legs, making the back slope forwards. They are very variable in colour. They usually have a light brown coat with white spots. They are one of the few species of deer that don’t lose their spots a few months after birth.

Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra

Midway between a goat and an antelope there are 10 sub species of Chamois all over the world. The Chamois in New Zealand come from European Alpes Austria. The scientific name is Rupicrapa rupicapra rupicapra which means rocky goat.

Introduced to New Zealand in 1907 donated by the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef of Austria. From 8 Chamois with two 2 males and 6 females this species become quickly the most successful introduction into New Zealand.

From Mount Cook (Aoraki) Chamois spread all over the Alpine rangers. These masters of the mountains developed efficient body adaptation. To be comfortable with the level of oxygen in line with the altitude, they developed a big heart and lungs compared to their body size. On top of that a 3-layer coat is able to hold high hair volume for an excellent insulation.

Their hooves are an excellent mix between hard and soft rubber which provide them best grip ever for rock climbing and perfectly stable on frozen snow and high grass slopes.

Finally, a very efficient digestive system takes best parts of the poor food they can find during bad season. Both sexes have horns with a hooked shape, the hook is more closed for male than female, Chamois doe horns are thinner. A female can hold a nice trophy. Both sexes live separately during the year and they only meet during the mating season. The mating season is in April, May and June.