New Zealand hunting is a
premium, continually-available experience in what is described by
visitors as the most beautiful country in the world. An
island nation, the spectacular scenery of New Zealand ranges from
lush valleys, rolling green hills and magnificent, snow-covered
mountain Alps towering above dense forests. In the absence of
natural predators, wildlife populations flourish. Kiwi
hospitality is ubiquitous, weather is nearly always
sunshine-gorgeous, and smiles are contagious.
Boredom is not an option; the word doesn't even exist in New
Zealand. There is plenty for non-hunters and hunters to do
before, during and after scheduled hunt dates: spas, massages and
beauty treatments in New Zealand's famous hot thermal pools are
available to relax before, during or after hunts. Golf,
forest walks, horse treks, jet boat rides, rafting, 4 wheel bike
trails, and for the more adventurous - bungy jumping!
Foremost among perfect family vacation are New Zealand
hunting trips. With hunting packages on both the North
Island and the South Island, guests may combine New Zealand upland
bird and duck hunting, big game hunting and angling during a single
trip. Gidday Mate! Welcome to Paradise.
Welcome to New Zealand.
Getting There - New Zealand Hunting
US Visitors fly from LA across the Pacific, a 12-hour direct
flight to Auckland. From Australia, it's a 3-hour flight
across the Tasman Sea.
North Island: Arrive into Auckland International Airport in the
North Island, go through Customs. Transfer by domestic air to
Palmerston North Regional Airport, about 1 hour flight, where
hunters will be met by staff and transfered 2 hours to the
coastal ranch.
South Island: Arrive into Auckland International Airport
in the North Island, go through Customs and go to Domestic Terminal
to catch a flight to Christchurch airport. Hosts
await at Christchurch Airport to meet and greet, and provide
1.5 hour transfer to lodge.
What to Bring
Useful equipment for duck hunting includes chest waders and
camouflaged, brown or green colored clothing. Guides have
decoys and dogs. For upland hunting stout walking boots and a
shooting vest for shells and birds are helpful. A warm
Hat, thick woolen socks, rain clothes, thermal underwear,
binoculars, daypack, camera. Rifle and prefered ammunition,
or may be purchased locally. Shotguns may be rented at South
Island Lodge. Shotshell ammo is available locally.
Gratuities - New Zealand Hunting
Trips
Gratuities for lodge and field staff are not included in
Argentina duck hunt package cost since tipping, in general, is
discretionary. Because clients have repeatedly asked that we
provide general guidelines the following is suggested. Generally
10-20% land package cost is appropriate. Your host will
accept gratuities when settling your account prior to
departure, and will dispense among the staff
accordingly.
New Zealand Fly Fishing
New Zealand trout fishing
is the stuff from which dream are made. Our South Island
outfitter-affiliate delivers extraordinary guided fly
fishing for large, wild Brown Trout in crystal clear mountain
streams in various locations, all of them great. Trout average 5
pounds but each season some double-digit fish are caught.
Abiding strictly to catch-and-release principles, experienced
guides intimately familiar with the local rivers, share their
knowledge of all aspects of fly fishing with all anglers, from
complete beginners to seasoned veterans. Traveling by vehicle, or
helicopter, ensures an exciting day in beautiful remote scenery,
and every opportunity to outwit the smart New Zealand Brown
Trout. Present a selected nymph or dry fly...wait...there he
is!
Species - New Zealand Duck Hunting
New Zealand waterfowl hunting offers some unique species. These
include the native Paradise Shelduck, commonly called a
parrie, Pacific Black Duck, or Grey duck, New
ealand Shoveler, and the Black Swan which has introduced
itself from Australia 1500 miles to the west.
The grey duck favours secluded areas in contrast to the
introduced mallard which is happy to live around humans. Originally
the primary target of duck hunters, the grey duck now comprises
only 20% of the New Zealand duck population of 6 million
birds.
New Zealand Shovelers are the least abundant of hunted ducks, but
possibly the most attractive. They are certainly the most difficult
to locate. They frequent coastal lakes but move a lot making them
rather unpredictable.
Paradise Shelducks
only occur in New Zealand. They have a 4-foot wingspan which
compares with the 3 foot wingspan of a mallard. They can be found
in large flocks on pasture to which they have adapted well after
the conversion from forest to grassland of much of New Zealand by
European settlers from 1840. Paradise Shelducks can provide
exceptional shooting over decoys on grass fields or barley stubble.
Unusually, the female with white head and bronze breast is more
colourful than the black male, but they are both strikingly
attractive birds.
The Black Swan may not be hunted in Australia but is a popular
gamebird in New Zealand. Large bodies of water where they feed on
aquatic vegetation are favoured habitat. Flying swans are
spectacular. They are often seen in large groups.
Mallard ducks were introduced from North America in the late 1800's
and are widespread. They interbreed with the native grey ducks.
They move within New Zealand but do not migrate. They are now our
most common duck and a very popular gamebird.
Greater Canada Geese are widepread especially in the South Island
with increasing population and distribution in the north.
More Info: New Zealand Waterfowl
Hunting
Bag Limits - New Zealand Duck
Hunting
New Zealand should not be regarded as high-volume shooting like
South American destinations. It is best viewed as a place to
collect some unique and beautiful waterfowl. Normally hunters will
take home a variety of excellent specimens for mounting. New
Zealand waterfowl can be very abundant and limits are generous so
normally good to excellent hunting will be enjoyed. Duck
limits vary between Fish and Game regions but are typically 10 to
20 birds per day. Limits for Canada Geese (South Island) and
Mallards are considerably more liberal. Pheasant hunting is best in
the North Island with daily limits on roosters about 5.
More Info: New Zealand Duck
Hunting
Species - Big Game Hunting in New Zealand
There are 12 species of big game
available for hunting in New Zealand: Wapiti (Elk), Red Deer, Sika
deer, Rusa Deer, Sambar Deer, Whitetail Deer, Fallow Deer,
Himalayan Thar, European Chamois, South Pacific Goat, Wild Pig, and
Asiatic Buffalo. All provide good trophies and many species
have exceeded the trophy potential of their county of origin.
Red Deer Stags provide the quintessential experience for big
game hunting in New Zealand, and remain the most popular among
guest hunters. Trophy potential is very good, and challenging
hunting is available in both free-range and intensively-managed,
game ranch settings. Fallow deer and the second most
widely-distributed big game animal in New Zealand, and are often
taken while red stah hunting on North Island. In the Southern
Alps, Himalayan Tahr and Chamois challenge hunters in higher
elevations, but the effort pays handsomely with trophies that can
be hunted together nowhere but in New Zealand. More
Information: Big Game Hunting in New
Zealand
Related Links - New Zealand Hunting and
Fishing
Travel Protection and Travel
Insurance Protect your hunting travel
investment
Certification of Registration for Personal Effects
Taken Abroad (Form 4457)
Importation of Fish and Wildlife Form 3-177
Field
Care of Trophy Waterfowl & Birds
About the Area - New Zealand Hunting North Island and
South Island
New Zealand is an island
country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main
landmasses (the North Island and the South Island), and numerous
smaller islands. New Zealand is notable for its geographic
isolation: it is situated about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi)
southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest
neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.
During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna
dominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the
arrival of humans and the mammals they introduced.
The South Island is the largest land mass of New Zealand, and is
divided along its length by the Southern Alps. There are 18 peaks
over 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) the 
highest of which is Aoraki/Mount Cook at 3,754
metres (12,316 ft). The top of South Island contains areas of
forest in the Kahurangi and other national parks. The south-western
corner of South Island is Fiordland, an area of high mountains cut
through with steep fjords.
The North Island is less mountainous but is marked by volcanism.
The highly active Taupo volcanic zone has formed a large volcanic
plateau, the North Island's highest mountain, Mount Ruapehu 2,797
metres (9,177 ft), and a deep caldera filled by Lake Taupo, the
country's largest lake. The island's north is a flatter area, once
covered by huge kauri trees.
The latitude of New Zealand, from approximately 34 to 47° S,
corresponds closely to that of Italy in the Northern Hemisphere.
However, its isolation from continental influences and exposure to
cold southerly winds and ocean currents give the climate a much
milder character. The climate throughout the country is mild and
temperate, mainly maritime, with temperatures rarely falling below
0 °C (32 °F) or rising above 30 °C (86 °F) in populated areas.
Of the main cities,
Christchurch is the driest, receiving only 640 millimetres (25 in)
of rain per year; Auckland, the wettest, receives almost twice that
amount. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all receive a yearly
average in excess of 2000 hours of sunshine.
The first Europeans known to have reached New Zealand were Dutch
explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman and his crew in 1642.
Indigenous Maori killed four of the crew and no Europeans returned
to New Zealand until British explorer James Cook's voyage of
1768-71. Cook reached New Zealand in 1769 and mapped almost the
entire coastline. Following Cook, New Zealand was visited by
numerous European and North American whaling, sealing and trading
ships. They traded European food and goods, especially metal tools
and weapons, for Maori timber, food, artefacts and water. On
occasion, Europeans traded goods.
Because of its long isolation from the rest of the world and its
island biogeography, New Zealand has extraordinary flora and fauna,
descended from Gondwanan wildlife or since arriving by flying,
swimming or being carried across the sea. About 80% of New
Zealand's flora is endemic, including 65 endemic genera.
Until the arrival of humans, 80% of the land was forested.
New Zealand's only native mammal is a bat, so European settlers
introduced several hunting species specifically for sport. In the
absence of natural predators, and as forests were converted to
grasslands, these animals flourished. Today, population control is
achieved with safe and controlled
hunting. Game animals include deer (including red,
fallow and sika), chamois, tahr, pigs. First-rate waterfowl
and upland game-bird hunting in New Zealand is also available.
Learn more....