Finally made the decision to go and visit relatives in the Auckland area from 22 July till 12 August 2006.

Of course I want to take advantage of the opportunity and do some (serious) hunting. (small and big game)

So any suggestions from you people down under
would be appreciated very much!

With the time you have available , and being based in Auckland , I would suggest you contact a hunting guide who can organise a hunt to suit your timing .

Do a Google search on NZ Hunting Guides and see what you find . If you can get to the South Island then an alpine hunt for tahr or chamois is a possibility .

Good Luck

What animals would you like to hunt?? Mark and Felicity Brough run Rangini hunting which is in the King country about 3 hours drive south of Auckland. http://www.bigskynz.com I have hunted Red deer with Mark and use his hunting lodge as a base for bird shooting and goat culling trips.

A hunting guide that I know and can recommend, who offers a wide variety of free range hunts is Gerald Fluerty, Wildside Hunting Safaris Ph 64 7 374 8080. Good guy and very fair prices. He is based in Taupo, 3 hrs south of Auck. If you can shoot you'll do fine with him.

Is their a close season for deer in New Zealand, or can they be hunted right threw the year?
Are they a protected speices like they are over here in the States?
Thanks.

Sambur have a controlled season but all the other species are open season all year .