Hi All,

I have a number of questions, but first a bit about me. I am a college student in Mass, which is where I also grew up. I started out bird hunting over my pointing dog, but have gotten more and more into big game. I’m addicted to hunting. Next year, I am going to go abroad for the spring semester (New Zealand’s fall if I am not mistaken). I hope to study at the University of Otago. Anyways, my questions revolve around hunting and fishing in New Zealand. Bear with me, as I will have a lot of questions.

- I have looked over NZ’s Wildlife Dept website, but it’s a little confusing. I take it you can hunt year around, but you have to apply to hunt a particular area?

-How much is a non-resident license?

- I can’t afford the fancy lodges and guided hunts, which is fine by me. How is the public access on the southern part of the south island? I would love to hear personal experiences of the do it yourself type hunt.

- My main goal is red stag, but I understand thar and chamois are around too. Are they present in reasonable population sizes in the southern part of the south island?

- What other hunting opportunities are there?

- Should I get lucky and shoot something, what would I do with all the meat? I like eating what I shoot, but there is no way I could eat all the meat. Do you have a Hunters for the Hungry type program in NZ?

- I am not sure if I can keep a gun in my dorm, I would tend to doubt it, but I have to check with the University. This is probably the biggest stumbling block I face. Any ideas?

- Is bowhunting a possibility or is it very very difficult?

Hello Storm

I am in Invercargill, a city of 50,000 2 1/2 hours south of Dunedin - I have lived there a few years ago.

As long as you have access to a vehicle you will have access - within 2-3 hours drive of all the game you list, all huntable for free on Public lands (not necessarily the greatest number of animals, but certainly the same opportunity to take a fair chase trophy as a guided hunt).

Hunting on public lands in NZ is free (no tags, no licences), you just need to get a free permit that enables you to carry a firearm and take animals. In some area these permits are restricted and or balloted so everyone gets a fair go.

I doubt you will be able to keep a rifle in your dorm, but either the warden or a local gunshop or hunter will hold it for you. Dunedin has a strong hunters Association (Called the NZ Deerstalkers Assn) and their members will be certain to help you - just rock up to one of thier monthly meetings.

It is not compulsory to recover all the meat in NZ, but most people do, however your student friends will ensure that getting rid of the meat is not an issue - most folk in NZ appreciate a piece of Vension or leg of wild pork.

Your biggest challenge will be to get to grips with NZ terrain and mountain weather. I could go on for hours about this, but it is best that you listen up to people once you get here, lots of the student body will have been backpacking (we call it Tramping here) and if you listen to them you'll get a feel for what you are likey to encounter, and the relevant equipment etc.

There are a very small body of bowhunters in NZ - someone else will have to answer those questions.

Cheers - Foster

Interesting question...

I too may be at Otago from late next year if all goes as planned for some more grad research... would be asking these questions too before then!

Some of the best bird shooting in New Zealand is in the south island.

Game bird licence is about $70 NZD for the whole season and with this you can hunt/kill any birds anywhere in New Zeland,different reigons have different season and different bags limits.

Getting access to private land is no problem,just do as the land owners asks.There is plenty of public which can hunted for free.

Try this forum as quite a few members are students living in the south island.There is a bit of American bashing on the site,from the sad little people on the site,you have been warned.

http://www.fishnhunt.co.nz/forum/YaBB.cgi

In April of 2006, I flew into Aukland, New Zealand to go hunting. I had the import forum fill out before I got to the New Zealand Police office. They had me fill out another forum and indicated that I should have faxed it to them before hand. They took my passport and went into the back room and emerged a few minutes later. I am sure that my criminal record was checked in the US - there is none.

Then they wanted to know who I was going hunting with. I had left the paper work on my dining table. I was to do a DIY hunt with Harry Hutton flying me out on the South Island. I couldn't remember Harry's name. I had meet Harry at the SCI in Reno, NV and he said that he would fly out after red deer. Well after much dicussion they issued me the permit. I was read the riot act on storage of firearms.

You will not be able to store your firearm in the dorm. It will have to be stored in a gun safe. I would find a gun shop that would be willing to store your rifle and have them write you a letter indicating that with thier license number. I think that the only reason that they issued me a license is because I was 54 years old with no crimimal record. I could and would be different with 20 year old college student in the situation that I was in. You will need a gun license or hunting license and a 4457 forum to get your gun back through US customs.

The best part on hunting in New Zealand is the local hunters that you meet in the bush. I still e mail several.

Thinking about things - Several of my friends kids are at Otago Uni in dorms, let me know which one you are going too and I'll find out for sure what the story is.

Cheers

Storm
Bow hunting is big if your into it.
There are a lot of great bow hunting options on all species here.
If you do end up in Otago you should contact Mark Ross in Alexandra, 03 486 1788, Mark is the Otago area VP for NZ bow hunters society. Also check out www.nzbowhunters.co.nz
Some thing else to check is the Bow hunting New Zealand magazine, send an email to Matt Willis, editor@bowhuntingnz.com.
better still do a search on bowhunting NZ and see what you came up with.
Gerald
A lot of people will give you that strange look about bow hunting but take it from me its a great place to bow hunt.

Hi Storm - check your personal mail.

Thanks for all the help guys, I am sure i will have more questions to come.

Shoot Straight,
Alex