As a New Zealand searching specialist, I have actually assisted numerous hundred seekers take their first New Zealand Red Stag Hunting journey. The most frequently asked question is, “when is the very best time for Red Stag hunting in New Zealand?” The info in this write-up is based upon my direct experience. I have actually pursued the Red Deer “Holler” in New Zealand as well as additionally in Argentina. I have additionally hunted deer outside of the holler in New Zealand.
The greatest draw for New Zealand searching is the Red Deer additionally known as Red Stag. A lot of the Outdoor television Shows, searching publication posts and also hunting reports focus their testimonials around searching throughout the “Holler.” The Holler is the singing sound the red deer make throughout their rutting duration, similar in nature yet completely different than that of the Rocky Hill Elk. The “Roar” normally runs around the 3rd week in March to the forth week in April. This moment duration can change +/- 7 to 10 days by the climate condition. If New Zealand obtains a winter front in very early March, it can quicken the Roar.
Deer searching throughout the Holler is an exciting time to quest as well as need to be experienced at least once in a seeker’s life time. The stags will certainly holler around the clock. Throughout this moment period, the red deer are concentrating on their areas, hinds (female red deer) as well as other stags. A normal rifle shot throughout the Holler can be well under 100 backyards. The Holler is additionally the very best time for bow hunting red deer. A great overview needs to be able to get the bow hunter within 25 to 40 yards of his target. Blinds and hides can likewise be set up over mud wallows and also trails offering shots at less than 35 lawns.
Climate throughout the Roar is generally like early September in the Rocky Hills. Anticipate the mornings to be great, typically in the reduced 40’s and also high temperatures in the high 70’s and also perhaps low 80’s.
Red Deer Hunting can be done on both the North and South Island from late February with Mid-August. In most cases, the red deer will be out of velvet around the 20th of February. The last 10 days of February and the initial two weeks of March, the red deer will be in the most effective physical look of the year and also should have no damaged horns or missing tines. They will begin dropping their antlers around the third to 4th week of August. Red Deer in New Zealand will certainly start fighting with other stags, typically quickly after the very first seven to 10 days in April. Seekers will certainly start to see some damaged tines from this time via completion of August. These deer have actually been recognized hunting auction to combat so tough with various other stags; they have in fact broken short the antlers at the head plate exposing the stag’s brain. When this takes place, the deer normally passes away shortly thereafter.
With this being claimed, the very best time to bow search red deer is during the Holler, from late March via late April. One of the most superior red deer searching “roar” dates would certainly be the first ten days in April. Late February and also very early March and also a blast to rifle quest red deer and additionally a good time of the year to include some New Zealand fly angling on the side. They can be hunted with a rifle during the holler however anticipate it to be a simpler search than normal with most shots possibly less than 100 yards. Red Deer searching comes to be much more challenging from May via August with average shots in the 150 to 200 yard array.
The first week of June generally brings the first snow of the period. Early morning temperature levels average in the mid to high 30’s as well as highs in the mid 50’s to low 60’s. Late May, June and also July better reproduce the late fall and Winter months hunts we can experience in the United States. This is additionally a great time to blend a red stag hunt with Tahr hunting or Chamois hunting. The colder weather in late May starts the Tahr rut and also is additionally in charge of the Tahr and also Shammy to turn their winter layers darker in shade. The “lion like” hair of the Tahr will certainly additionally be at its maximum length during this moment of the year.
There are two methods to hunt red deer in New Zealand. The very first is referred to as “Estate Searching.” Estate pursues are hung on huge fenced ranches or stations. These stations are typically rather huge in size, from 2,500 acres to 20,000 acres or more. The secure fencing permits the herdsmans to manage the herds and genes and also shut out neighborhood seekers and poachers. Administration in New Zealand has allowed the country to develop the largest red deer in the world. There were two New Zealand red deer gathered in 2009 over 6 hundred (600) inches and also one was over 650 inches. All prize class red deer in New Zealand come from Estates or Ranches. The fencings on these terminals remove the term “free variety” however not fair chase. The majority of these properties are exceptionally large as well as the terrain as well as plants make these hunts equally as challenging as a complimentary range quest.
Real complimentary range searching in New Zealand is available on both Government and also personal properties. These residential or commercial properties may contain cattle fencing yet this does not stop the red deer from merely jumping over them and relocating openly about. Free range are a lot smaller in antler dimension than the estate stags. A trophy cost-free range stag on private property will have 10 to 14 factors and will certainly score from 220 to 275 inches. As a result of searching pressure as well as no real season for red stag, the public buildings see much smaller sized stags than those on personal property. It is extremely unusual to see a “true” totally free variety stag over 300 inches. Some homeowner will certainly release 300 inch plus red deer on their cost-free variety properties. These stag can generally be determined after harvest by trying to find openings in their ears where a tag utilized to be.
With the basic big video game open season in New Zealand closing in August as well as the united state big game season starting in September, red deer searching in New Zealand is a wonderful means to expand your large game open season.