fly Posted January 18, 2022 Report Share Posted January 18, 2022 Well, I finally got to the point in my life where I am able to make a Red Stag hunt in New Zealand a reality! The wife and a buddy and his wife will be going as well. We will make it a hunt/vacation. The hunt is booked for April, 2023 and NZ opens their borders next month so hopefully they will stay open. It was not easy finding a fair chase / free range outfitter in New Zealand. Most operate high fence hunts (which are fine if it's your thing) just isn't mine. I don't like the idea of hunting a red stag and being told by a guide that that one is too big and costs more than I was willing to pay. The free range red stags generally top out around 320 inches with anything over 300 inches being a true trophy. We will be hunting the Otago herd near Queenstown on the South island. I realize we have a limited number of people here these days, but if anyone has been to the south island I'd love to hear about any non-hunting things to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Awesome...Looking forward to seeing a lot of pics! I know you'll take plenty. That's one of the hunts still on my bucket list. Checked into it some in both New Zealand and Argentina in the past. Haven't really considered it since Covid. Frank...just wondering this. Does the law in New Zealand allow landowners to own the animals if their land is high fenced? I know in South Africa it's that way...you high fence it...you own the animals inside. The place we hunted in South Africa was high fence but it's over 26,000 acres. Didn't feel like high fence hunting at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted January 20, 2022 Report Share Posted January 20, 2022 I cannot wait for the stories and pictures!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted January 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2022 Hi Al, I will ask because I am not certain. I assumed all high fence animals belonged to the owner of the land. There is a point where the high fence no longer gives the hunter an advantage. I'm not sure what number of acres that is for me. The guide I hired has leased about 20K acres of private ground with a low fence. I just assumed the red stag are owned by the region (or country) as opposed to the land owner. I'm not sure if that changes when the fence gets to a certain height. Here are some pics of the free range / fair chase stags taken last year in the area I'll be hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 21, 2022 Report Share Posted January 21, 2022 Nice. Good luck. Will be looking forward to story and pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted January 22, 2022 Report Share Posted January 22, 2022 Sounds like a fantastic hunt, seen many stag hunts over the years on tv, what a beautiful animal. too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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