So I booked for New Zealand in March

[butcher]

Going for a month. Got a fishing trip already set up north. Working on finalizing a pig hunt. Wallowing through paperwork now.

looking for any advice on hunting mountain species on the South Island, public land stuff. Don’t have the budget for a guide plus I really want to earn it.

Also any suggestions on other must do activities while we’re there. Me and my son and good friend.

[srupp]

Hmmm congrads..hunting partner went with 2 other hunters couple years ago..apparantly the fees to ensure capes are clean and shipping were stupidly and prohibitly expensive..2 guys left the entire animals..meat horns capes everything there. .one got lucky and got his added to a large collection coming bavk to BC . WASN'T EVEN certain any of the meat was utilized .
Not sure of the exact details but my overall reaction was that wasnt good for the animals., wasted..or hunters keaving everything.
Now may just be they didn't ask the right questions or enough questions..
The tar look awesome and red stag roars..
Good luck Geoff..
Steven

[butcher]

Well they’re shooting critters by the thousand from helicopters over there and I’m pretty sure the meat and trophies aren’t getting used. I’ll have a plan in place.

[srupp]

Enjoy the adventure..fishing and hunting..pretty good..see what working hard gets you....more fun than 40 monkeys.
However Please be careful..its not like Alberta whitetails, pronghorn..all them hills down there are mountains.
Is it brown trout you seek?
Cheers
Steven
Couple more sleeps and its off to Alberta for our adventure..

[Springer]

Geoff i have a friend that did New Zealand this year. It was exactly what you want to do. It was all do your own but he had hosted a Kiwi here for Whitetail prior to this hunt so that contact really helped him out. They had poor weather but made the best of it.
Your right they are thinning out the Tahr etc right now. I wouldn't put this trip off with possible changes coming there from what social media has spoken anyway..
They also fished . He split his skull cap and brought the antlers back in his luggage. Nathan will eventually get that episode done up. Unfortunately with a lot of cloud cover the footage may be a little dark.
I will hook you up and send you his contact info...

[butcher]

Two day ocean fishing is booked. Three day hog, deer, goat hunt is booked.

Now working on getting to the south island for the rest of it. Tahr & Chamois in particular.

Phone calls and emails for the next couple months.

[ncurrie]

So exciting!! I can’t wait to go next year. My cousin just moved there and bought a house so that’s my next vacation. Post lots of pictures!!

[sheephunterab]

I'd be cautious bringing any animal parts back with you. I don't doubt some have done it but my understanding is that they require at minimum a vet certificate and I doubt you can get that in a short amount of time before you leave. I'd use a reputable exporter. It will cost considerably more but you will end up getting your trophies for sure that way.

[butcher]

Indeed we will be using professionals for trophy transport. IF we require it.

I'm not a big taxidermy guy and it would have to be something really special to have it done, but the cost is the cost. I'm not ponying up to spend a month in New Zealand only to cheap out in the end. Aside from the pig hunt I won't be using an outfitter, so I can't really see taking any unusually large trophies. The time I spend with my kid and the photos I have of that are far more important to me.

[sheephunterab]

I wasn't really referencing trophy quality. The animals are just so unique there and make such marvelous mounts....regardless of score but ya it can get expensive. We have some pretty average tahr and chamois mounted and they are very cherished "trophies"

[butcher]

Yep, my son does not share my opinion either. He thinks every bull Tahr we get should be mounted.

I'd be just as pleased with an enlarged photo.

However I do like the look of a chamois. My friend Hans got one in Austria and it's great.

[sheephunterab]

Still one of my favourite mounts.

https://scontent.fyyc2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/46317489_2168252536827365_2733320893731176448_n.jp g?_nc_cat=101&_nc_eui2=AeGInUKJMXvDs_GxPU5xDoxB4fVKXdF6veLw-c4DRo7dNZ-z0F-nNrcb6pa-9NNUZ5-VEfLo4YXLNjZ-acbsOWvWhO5mMeJhWGOHuRJ6ryxn7Q&_nc_ht=scontent.fyyc2-1.fna&oh=e9f2cd08c9bea39f07127176dddf18b8&oe=5C69027F

[BRvalley]

paradise ducks are beautiful birds and make great mounts, but due to CITES you do need to go through all the paper work and I did that through a taxidermist and paid for a broker at canadian border

ton of rabbits over there, it's a lot of fun doing the long range sniping thing, but not sure how hard it would be for non resident to access pasture, might be best done through an outfitter....or spot light night hunt from a truck was maybe the most fun i've ever had with a gun, highly recommend that

[BGHA]

Still one of my favourite mounts.

https://scontent.fyyc2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/46317489_2168252536827365_2733320893731176448_n.jp g?_nc_cat=101&_nc_eui2=AeGInUKJMXvDs_GxPU5xDoxB4fVKXdF6veLw-c4DRo7dNZ-z0F-nNrcb6pa-9NNUZ5-VEfLo4YXLNjZ-acbsOWvWhO5mMeJhWGOHuRJ6ryxn7Q&_nc_ht=scontent.fyyc2-1.fna&oh=e9f2cd08c9bea39f07127176dddf18b8&oe=5C69027F
They're both beautiful! Looks like you had a really fun hunt!
I was over there last July and got a very nice tahr, didn't try for chamois though.
https://biggamehuntingadventures.com/new-zealand-hunting/

[Nolan1973]

Could you not drop the trophy off at a taxidermist and he can then forward them to you at home for a nominal fee? This is a future planned hunt for me as well. I will be waiting for any updates.

[BRvalley]

Could you not drop the trophy off at a taxidermist and he can then forward them to you at home for a nominal fee? This is a future planned hunt for me as well. I will be waiting for any updates.

"nominal" fee sadly doesn't exist with international hunting and taxidermy, shipping (my hunt ended up costing a lot more than planned, but I don't regret any of it lol )

since I went in 2015 there has been an explosion of content on Youtube, and I wish I knew all this info before my trip...I will definitely be back for tahr and chamois, but mostly for the fishing next time....I went there mostly with visions of fly fishing the entire time, but in the end I had the most fun gear fishing after I connected with some locals....I'd look into fishing the canals for monster rainbows

[butcher]

I plan on having a taxidermist do the work and take care of shipping. Maybe more money but hopefully less headaches.

[butcher]

Fishing charter booked. Two pig hunts booked. Tahr and Chamois fly in hunt booked. Red stag hunt booked. All DOC land all free range. Might have to get a second job to pay it all off when I get back. Don’t care. About to have a month of fun. Winter ends in 8 days, straight to fall.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Best of luck, butcher!

Safe travels

[boxhitch]

Sounds like a dream coming true, good on you B
The month will go by fast

[albravo2]

Have fun! I know I would.

Looking forward to the trip report.

[BRvalley]

I used Craig Stolle from the island for my taxidermy, and he recommended a broker in Vancouver to help with import paper work, I can dig up the contact info if you like

You definitely won't regret it, hope you have a great trip!

[butcher]

I used Craig Stolle from the island for my taxidermy, and he recommended a broker in Vancouver to help with import paper work, I can dig up the contact info if you like

You definitely won't regret it, hope you have a great trip!

yes that would be great thanks. I have names over there but nothing pre arranged. Didn’t want to jinx it by expecting success.

[butcher]

delete double post

[Springer]

Well you guys keep doing the research because one day i want to do this trip with at least one of my boys or some family as well.
Im super jealous your doing this trip with your family Geoff. Life is short , were all getting older one day at a time. Good on ya for getting your priorities straight.Life is about the journey and the experiences along the way. Looking forward to hearing the outcome my Friend..

[1/2 slam]

For trophy importation I use Ron's Wildlife Service at the Vancouver airport. They know what they are doing and it's been painless

[264mag]

I am all set with Rons for importing my animals. Headed to NZ next month. Any recommendations for lower mainland taxidermist?

[northof49]

Good luck you guys...wish I was going. Looking forward to the updates.

[butcher]

Hey just a quickie update. 2 red stags, 1 hind, four pigs in the bag. No high fence BS, all wild. Headed for the Tahr and Chamois hills in a couple days. Pics to come.

[srupp]

Hmmm congrats...stay safe..pictures are overrated..lol
Srupp

[BRvalley]

Congrats on a successful hunt!

I hope to go back one day for tahr and chamois, plus more fishing next time

[1/2 slam]

I am all set with Rons for importing my animals. Headed to NZ next month. Any recommendations for lower mainland taxidermist?

Ray Weins in Merritt

[BRvalley]

I used Craig Stolle on the island, very happy with the work

[Wild one]

Ray Weins in Merritt

This would be my choice ^^

[butcher]

We took all our stuff to a guy here in New Zealand who does a lot of red stag. Two for euro mounts and one for a shoulder mount. He’s going to ship them to Ron’s Wildlife. All we need to do is pay a lot of money.