Does anybody offer free range red stag horseback hunts in NZ?

It is quite possible and normal thing to do in Argentina.

Give it a google.

I am sure some kiwi has both horses and access to land with deer, where they are I have no idea.

A free range red deer on public land in New Zealand is going to be a dinky deer. It is just what it is.

Free range deer on public land in Australia and New Zealand get worked pretty hard. Most areas have no bag limits or seasons.

We hunted in Argentina with Algar on horseback and it was one of the best hunts we have ever done. Mrs Blacktailer and I are considering a South Pacific trip in the next couple of years and it would be an added bonus if we could combine the hunt with some riding but I don't recall ever seeing horses used for hunting in NZ.

Most public land dosen't allow horses and in many places the bush is so thick its a mission to get through with a horse. Non hunting though there are some great horse trekking operations.

Stuff like this.
http://truenz.co.nz/horsetrekk...-trekking-nz-limited

You'd probably need to hunt on one the of large private stations(ranch)to hunt with horses. I'm guessing its not normally offered but for a price I'm sure a guide could put something together for you. Or maybe we have found a business opportunity

Pig hunting is sometimes done with horses in the north island.

It is funny how much of the BLM and Forest Service lands are wide open to horseback travel, and how much of the rest of the world is closed to all but foot traffic.

Interesting that the regulations/situation doesn't make it more popular or feasible. It's a great way to see country and hunt. I even enjoyed running a pack string when I was young and foolish.

I believe that New Zealand Safaris offers them.

I know a place in the Central North Island where the Maori land owners do horse treks and hunt Sika deer as well. So they should be able to combine the two.

You might be able to find red deer hunts on the huge stations in the South Island but that would be true wild deer with 8 and 10 points mostly. Very rare to find a true 12 or 14 point wild stag that you could confidently do a guided hunt for.

The other thing to remember is the NZ mountains are very rough and wrinkled and not like the Rockies. Not easy on the horses unless you are hunting the river flats and farm fringes.