Hunting Season's in New Zealand

Ivory Cliffs Estate Red Stag In New Zealand, unlike many other parts of the world, there is no legislated "hunting season" for our big game species. Instead, the period in which we hunt is naturally dictated by the life cycle of the deer—specifically, when the animals carry their hard antlers, as all New Zealand deer species annually cast (shed) their antlers.

Our prime hunting season at Ivory Cliffs Estate runs from late February through to the end of July.

The most popular time is March and April, as this period coincides with the spectacular Red Stag 'Roar' (Rut). The heightened activity and vocalization of the stags during this time make for an incredibly thrilling and intense hunting experience. For combination hunters, April is particularly advantageous as it often aligns with the rutting periods of Sika and Fallow deer on the North Island.

While the rut is a peak experience, all times of the season are excellent for harvesting a magnificent Red Stag; the ideal time simply depends on your personal schedule and hunting preferences.

 

Himalayan Tahr & Chamois

For those considering a combination hunt including the South Island's majestic Himalayan Tahr & Chamois, we highly recommend booking from April onwards. The Tahr's trophy quality is predominantly determined by the length and density of its winter coat, with a large portion of the trophy value residing in the impressive bull’s mane. April onwards ensures the animals have developed their best & thickest winter coats.

Ivory Cliffs Estate Tahr and Chamois

 

Game Birds

For combination hunters interested in game birds, the official season runs during May and June, which is the perfect time to schedule a combination big game & bird hunt. 

Hunting Game Birds in New Zealand

 

It is worth noting that for hunters focused exclusively on securing the absolute biggest Red Stags with antlers undamaged, booking earlier in the season (late February to mid-March) is often preferred. This is because by the peak of the rut in April, many dominant stags can have sustained damage to their antlers from fighting.

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