I have a NZ trophy hunt booked for May, but I may need to pop down to Melbourne the last week of February for business and would like to tack on some hunting.

That time of year, I think all that is realistic are the small, non trophy animals - pigs and goats, maybe wallabe too (?) which is fine, because I would enjoy getting out and seeing the country, with the opportunity to shoot some animals too. Not looking for high end first class, but do want a professional, pleasant guide.

Any ideas or recommendations would be appreciated.

Were do you want to go - North or South Island?

How long do you have , and how much money do you want to spend?

More details would help here....

Like Muzza said few more details.

Are you a bird shooter?? as both waterfowl and upland game birds are in season in May.

I have hunted with Mark form Ranginui hunting quite a few times,hes based about 3 hours from Auckland airport.

If you want to shoot feral goats and hunt pigs with dogs,he is a great guy to hunt with.

Ranginui hunting http://www.bigskynz.com/

Thanks for the responses.

North or South Island? Since I have never been there, I don't have much of a frame of reference, so either is fine. Remote and wild is good, so whichever is more would be fine. What are the differences?

Not really in to birding, would try it for an ofternoon, perhaps. Ditto for fishing.

Time- 4-6 days. Cost, not really a worry, don't want to spend a fortune, but I am not looking for a free or bare bones hunt either.

Hope this helps.

Do a Google search for " New Zealand Hunting Guides" then select ones that are based near Chrischurch in the South Island or Auckland in the North - these are the two main points of entry to the country.

There are a bunch of guides around Christchurch who will be able to set you up with deer or wallabies or alpine species , within a few hours of the airport.

Auckland isnt really close to much hunting but is the main North Island airport. Really depends how much travelling you want to do to get to some hunting. Guides will be able to advise on specifics - contact a few and see what they can do.

Chris Bilkey, Track & Trail Safaris www.chrisbilkey.co.nz
Tell him billinthewild and Jessica from Arizona sent you.
He was my guide several years ago and did well for me. Now he is on his own and I saw him at the SCI show in Reno.

quote:

Chris Bilkey, Track & Trail Safaris www.chrisbilkey.co.nz

I too hunted with Chris a couple years back when he was guiding for another outfit, and I had a terrific time climbing for tar and chamois and took good ones, so don't let his short legs fool you!!! BTW; His wife Peg is a great cook. I saw Chris at DSC, his new set up seems worth looking at!

I also hunted with Mike and Deb Wilks also on the South Island with South Pacific Safari My partner and I took fallow, pigs, sheep and a fantastic stag. Deb too is a great cook! Their "lodge home" is fantastic!

I'd check them both out!

You can read my account of the tahr hunt at; On Top of the Bottom of the World (It was published with a typo so Chris was mis-names as Mick)






Mike

404WJJeffrey

Take a look at this listing where they are a fair number of Kiwi guides listed:

South Pacific Guides & Outfitters

End of February? I don't know about New Zealand but that could be a prime time for Fallow deer this year, fallow stags here are rubbing right now and will all be hard for weeks by end of Feb. Red stags will be too in some areas if not all. I don't know about NZ but in Australia the seasons are all 2 to 4 weeks early this year.

Local fallow are still in velvet here , cant say for other areas.

I can recommend Brendon Matthews. Great guy to hunt with and fair prices.

I personally know 7 or 8 other Alaskans that have also hunted with him. All gave favorable reviews.

www.trophyhuntingnz.8k.com

Actually in NZ now...got a nice stag this morning and lots of goats yesterday. I'll post a bit more when I return.

Cheers