As a New Zealand hunting consultant, I have actually helped numerous hundred hunters take their very first New Zealand Red Stag Searching trip. One of the most frequently asked question is, “when is the best time for Red Stag searching in New Zealand?” The details in this write-up is based on my direct experience. I have hunted the Red Deer “Holler” in New Zealand as well as likewise in Argentina. I have actually likewise pursued deer beyond the holler in New Zealand.
The biggest draw for New Zealand hunting is the Red Deer also called Red Stag. Most of the Outdoor TV Reveals, hunting magazine posts and searching records focus their reviews around hunting hunting auction during the “Holler.” The Holler is the vocal audio the red deer make throughout their rutting period, comparable in nature yet entirely different than that of the Rocky Hill Elk. The “Roar” typically runs around the 3rd week in March to the forth week in April. This moment period can change +/- 7 to 10 days by the climate condition. If New Zealand gets a winter front in early March, it can quicken the Roar.
Deer searching throughout the Holler is an interesting time to hunt and also ought to be experienced at the very least when in a seeker’s life time. The stags will roar around the clock. During this moment duration, the red deer are focusing on their areas, hinds (female red deer) and various other stags. A normal rifle fired throughout the Holler can be well under 100 yards. The Roar is also the very best time for bow hunting red deer. A great overview should have the ability to obtain the bow seeker within 25 to 40 lawns of his target. Blinds and also hides can also be set up over mud wallows and also tracks offering shots at less than 35 lawns.
Weather condition throughout the Roar is typically like early September in the Rocky Mountains. Expect the early mornings to be cool, normally in the reduced 40’s and also high temperatures in the high 70’s and also perhaps reduced 80’s.
Red Deer Searching can be done on both the North as well as South Island from late February via Mid-August. In most cases, the red deer will certainly run out velour around the 20th of February. The last 10 days of February and the initial 2 weeks of March, the red deer will certainly be in the best physical appearance of the year and also should have no damaged antlers or missing out on branches. They will certainly begin dropping their antlers around the 3rd to fourth week of August. Red Deer in New Zealand will begin battling with various other stags, normally quickly after the first seven to ten days in April. Hunters will begin to see some broken branches from this time around with the end of August. These deer have actually been known to fight so hard with other stags; they have actually broken short the antlers at the head plate subjecting the stag’s brain. When this takes place, the deer normally dies quickly after that.
With this being said, the very best time to bow search red deer is during the Roar, from late March with late April. The most exceptional red deer hunting “holler” days would certainly be the initial ten days in April. Late February and very early March and a great time to rifle search red deer and likewise a good time of the year to include some New Zealand fly fishing on the side. They can be hunted with a rifle during the roar yet expect it to be a simpler quest than normal with many shots possibly less than 100 yards. Red Deer searching ends up being more difficult from May with August with typical shots in the 150 to 200 lawn variety.
The very first week of June generally brings the initial snow of the season. Morning temperatures balance in the mid to high 30’s and highs in the mid 50’s to reduced 60’s. Late May, June as well as July better duplicate the late loss as well as Winter season hunts we can experience in the United States. This is likewise a good time to blend a red stag quest with Tahr searching or Shammy searching. The colder climate in late May begins the Tahr rut and is also in charge of the Tahr and also Shammy to turn their winter months layers darker in shade. The “lion like” hair of the Tahr will certainly likewise go to its greatest size during this moment of the year.
There are 2 ways to quest red deer in New Zealand. The initial is known as “Estate Hunting.” Estate hunts are hung on large fenced ranches or stations. These terminals are normally quite large in dimension, from 2,500 acres to 20,000 acres or even more. The secure fencing allows the breeders to manage the herds and also genes as well as also shut out regional seekers as well as poachers. Management in New Zealand has actually enabled the country to develop the largest red deer worldwide. There were 2 New Zealand red deer gathered in 2009 over six hundred (600) inches and one mored than 650 inches. All prize class red deer in New Zealand come from Estates or Ranches. The fences on these stations eliminate the term “totally free variety” but not fair chase. The majority of these buildings are extremely big and the surface and flora make these hunts equally as tough as a complimentary array quest.
True free array hunting in New Zealand is offered on both Federal government as well as private properties. These residential properties might contain cattle fencing however this does not quit the red deer from simply jumping over them and also moving openly around. Free range are a lot smaller in antler size than the estate stags. A prize free variety stag on private property will certainly have 10 to 14 factors and will certainly rack up from 220 to 275 inches. As a result of searching pressure and also no actual season for red stag, the general public homes see much smaller stags than those on personal property. It is extremely uncommon to see a “true” totally free array stag over 300 inches. Some homeowner will launch 300 inch plus red deer on their complimentary range residential properties. These stag can generally be determined after harvest by searching for holes in their ears where a tag used to be.
With the general large game hunting seasons in New Zealand closing in August and also the U.S. large game period beginning in September, red deer searching in New Zealand is an excellent means to expand your huge video game hunting season.