Free Range Hunting

Rivers South Safaris offers the best in New Zealand free range hunting for Red Deer, Fallow Deer, Himalayan Tahr, Chamois, Arapawa Ram, Feral Goats, New Zealand Feral Pig and New Zealand Varmints (Wallaby, Hares, Cotton tail Rabbits and Opossums)

All of these New Zealand trophy animals can be hunted with Rifle, Archery, Muzzle loader & Crossbow. Handgun hunting is not allowed in New Zealand.

The numbers and quality of Red Deer and Fallow Deer are not as good as those in the hunting Estates. A 10-12 point Red Deer considered a very good trophy sometimes bigger stags are taken.

Free range hunting terrain varies from very gentle farm land were sheep and cattle graze, to rolling hills, to very steep mountains. Good ankle support hunting boots are essential. A very good to high level of fitness is required to ensure a much better chance of getting that trophy of a life time. Good optics is probably the second most important thing a hunter needs to bring with them.

The most productive way to hunt in New Zealand is spot and stalk and long periods of time are spent glassing the hunting areas for the best trophy animals available. All Rivers South Safari guides carry spotting scopes and laser range finders. Clients may choose not to bring their own. The best time to hunt free range trophy animals is during the roar or rutting season.

Rut/Roar

• Red Deer Mid-March to Mid-April
• Fallow Deer April to May
• Chamois  May to June
• Himalayan Tahr Mid-May to Early July

To keep free range Red Deer quality to a premium, we only offer 8-10 hunts a year. New Zealand varmints (wallabies, hares, cottontails and opossums) can be hunted at night with fully suppressed (silenced) rifles and spot lights which is totally legal and great fun.