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nz big game animals
Red
deer are the main game animal by sheer weight of numbers and
their range extends from the Kaimai Range in the Bay of Plenty to
Stewart Island. Average trophy heads are 8 to 10 points but
splendid trophies of 12 to 16 points (with a 1 metre spread) are
obtainable.
Fallow deer are second in terms of numbers, and are spread
in pockets over the North and South islands. They are small deer
with a wide colour variation and carry palmated antlers. Being
highly gregarious they stay in small herds and often return to
favoured browsing grounds, making them relatively easy to hunt.
Sika deer are supreme in the survival stakes, extending
their range well north and south of the Kaimanawa Ranges despite
intense hunting pressure. They are very alert and fast and
difficult to stalk. Mature stags grow 6 to 8 points and trophy
head quality is excellent. This is the world’s largest herd
of sika available to hunters.
Whitetail deer are greatly prized as trophies because they
are so cunning, fleet-footed and clever at concealment. They have
spread over the remote and rugged Stewart Island terrain and
taking a good trophy here is a worthy challenge.
Sambar deer, with their restricted range in the Rotorua
area and Manawatu coast, are perhaps the most difficult trophy to
obtain. They are relatively scarce and the survivors are
extremely wise and alert, hiding in clumps of flax in swampy
terrain.
Rusa deer are also highly sought after trophies because of
their scarcity in limited herds in the Kaingaroa Forest and the
Galatea slopes of the Ureweras. They are closely related to the
Sambar deer and largely nocturnal. Both species require huge
patience and perseverance to hunt.
Chamois are superbly agile and elusive animals to hunt and
are highly prized as trophies. They have extended their range
throughout the entire Southern Alps chain, preferring the high
alpine pastures, which constitute a physical challenge to the
hunter.
Thar occupy a high altitude habitat in the central portion
of the Southern Alps, particularly in the Mt Cook region, and are
considered a first class trophy. Government culling operations
have been employed to keep numbers in check.
Wapiti (elk) have spread over a vast inhospitable mountain
range between Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland coast. Interbreeding
with the more numerous red deer has virtually eliminated purebred
stock but mature crossbred stags with 14 points (and a 1.2 metre
spread) make greatly prized trophies.
Moose were liberated at Dusky Sound early last century and
a small number were shot in the years up to 1952. They have never
been sighted since, but a survey in 1972 indicated a struggling
population. In recent years browse lines up to 3 metres high have
been observed, so Moose are the ultimate trophy if you can
discover them.
Wild pigs are widespread in the North and South
Island’s. They are usually hunted with dogs in dense scrub
and offer fine trophies of curved, razor-sharp tusks.
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