New Zealand offers some of the finest big game trophy hunting in the world.

Dedicated hunters hold this country in high regard for the quality of its trophies, the outstanding alpine and forest habitats and the year round open season for deer species.

Hunting permits are readily available free of charge to responsible hunters from New Zealand and overseas in order to keep animal numbers under control. Our twenty Forest Parks and countless reserves offer a superb ‘fair chase’ challenge to the independent hunter. Visitors need to declare imported firearms to New Zealand Customs and obtain a permit from New Zealand Police.

Our principal big game animals are wapiti, red, sika, rusa, sambar, fallow and whitetail deer as well as Himalayan thar, Austrian chamois, wild pigs and goats. Small game includes rabbits, hares and opossums as well as waterfowl and upland game birds (in season).

Many visitors hire a professional hunting guide to ensure they get good results and bag a worthy trophy. New Zealand’s steep terrain can be physically demanding and local hunting knowledge is essential for success, so it makes good sense to go into the hills with an expert. Helicopter access into remote areas is generally the best way of gaining a top trophy. In recent years blocks of private land have been opened up as trophy game reserves. This means the hunter can study animals and assess trophy potential before beginning to stalk his quarry.

Seasonal factors to consider are the deer mating period in April to May and the casting of antlers by October, so generally trophy hunting is confined to April to September.

If you crave the excitement of the chase there is no better hunting grounds than the green forested hills of New Zealand.