Introduction

Thank you for taking the time to read The Complete NZ Deer Hunting Guide. Our goal with the guide is to promote the ethical and sustainable pursuit of deer in New Zealand. The information herein is compiled by passionate and experienced outdoorsmen with the aim of helping new hunters achieve better hunting success whilst maintaining a deep respect for our natural resources.

The guide is simply here to give you a theoretical head start and to supplement your own experiences in the backcountry. Make no mistake, there is absolutely no substitute for trial-and-error in real-world scenarios.

It’s highly recommended that you ask around and see if there are any keen hunters that you know who would be willing to take you out and show you the ropes. If you don’t know any hunters, it would be worth joining a local hunting organisation like the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association. Membership comes with a variety of benefits but the main drawcard is the opportunity to meet with like-minded individuals who are willing to share their knowledge of hunting.

Once your confidence has built up and you have some basic knowledge, you’ll be able to take small trips out on your own and expand from there. Start with day hikes close to home and then work your way up to overnighters and slowly push your limits each time. Putting yourself out there, creating your own adventures and having to think for yourself is where the real learning happens. Success may not come immediately, but persistence is the name of the game and you’ll learn something new on every trip.

While in the pursuit of animals, you’ll often find yourself in tough situations far from the comforts of home or from any support. The best animals, the best landscapes and the best adventures are well off the beaten track.

Your love of the outdoors and determination to put an animal on the deck will give you the ability to endure wild weather, physical exhaustion and bland food beyond what most people would even consider. After a few trips, you’ll definitely have some interesting yarns to spin because nothing creates a good story like suffering in the backcountry while hunting.

With that said, it’s important to reduce the risks as much as possible. No point finding the best animals if you don’t make it back home. So we’re

While the basics of deerstalking will likely never change, nothing in this guide is really set in stone. Things will be added, removed, updated or otherwise modified as needed. If you subscribe to our newsletter, you’ll be notified whenever we make any major changes so you can keep up to date with the latest information available.

Disclaimer:

Hunting is inherently dangerous and it is your responsibility to stay safe. The content of this guide is for informational purposes only. We cannot be held responsible for how you choose to use this information.