Hunting here in NZ is typically a full on weekend backpacking in several hours, setting up camp and then hunting several hours walk beyond camp. I took off this weekend hoping to chase down a red deer. I Picked a spot on the map, never been there but it looked like it would be a decent spot to try because its difficult to get to (4-5 mile walk with a1500ft vertical climb up and over a mountain saddle) with no trail, walking up along a river bed. The typical hunt in NZ.
getting off trail can provide some amazing scenery.
an unusually calm weekend, typically the wind is hollering up at this elevation.
Here’s the meadow I was making for, thought the deer might browse there at dusk. Turns out that the nice sunny meadow was actually super soggy underfoot, with boggy spots hidden by the tussocks. Made for slow squelchy walking.
not a trophy by any means, just a small yearling. though walking out 4 miles with all of the meat, made a really long day and sore feet.
Give It A Burl 
Venison veal. Nothing like it. I was never a big fan of old deer with large antlers. Like to let the older does and bucks go and keep the 4 to 6 points. Better tasting.
If this is the time of year to hunt, it may be the same time we come out next year. Hmmmmm….
It’d be lovely to have you here for hunting season (which is legally any time of year, but it’s coming up to the mating season soon). Have you resumed eating venison? Oh, by the bye, there was a big beer fest in Christchurch this weekend which would also have been right up your alley.
Do you need license out there to hunt and fish like here?
yeah, license’s are req’d, though fishing is much more regulated than hunting. Trout or salmon fishing is typically limited to 2 fish/day and the fishing season is Oct-April. Hunting entails filling out a form online with no fee, year round hunting and no limit on # of animals taken.
The scenery is beautiful. I might have been interested even without the gun.
Need any hunting caddies?
someone with Himalayan sherpa experience would be preferable. though I would never say no to a keen bloke willing to carry a 50lb pack through the mountains.
Does. Climbing Kilimanjaro count? If so I’m your man…