Estate Hunting

Estate Hunting in New Zealand is your best option for shooting the largest Red Deer, Elk, Wapiti, Fallow Deer and Tahr in New Zealand.  These hunting estates manage their breeding programs allowing only the best and largest stags, does and hinds to breed.  In 2009, there were several red deer that were taken over 625 SCI points and there is rumor that there may be a 700 class red deer for the 2010 season.  Estate hunting is your only option for the monster class stag and elk as it would be close to impossible for these genetics to merge naturally in the wild.

The size of the Red Stags on the New Zealand Hunting Estates will usually range from 300-400 SCI and upwards. We can hunt whatever size Stag is required by clients. Spot and Stalk is the most productive way to hunt in the Estates. Hunters need to be aware that Estate Hunting can be as physical and challenging as free range hunting and hunters should have a moderate to good level of fitness to give them the best chance at a Trophy of a Lifetime.

The New Zealand Hunting Estates that Rivers South Safaris hunt on range in size from 500 to 2,000 acres or more depending on the location.

Terrain ranges from timbered forests to open snow grass and from gentle flats, rolling hills to very steep mountains.  Estate hunts are your greatest option for short duration hunts (1-3 days) and they are also a great option for young, old and hunters with lower physical abilities.  Estate Hunt success rate are 100%, even with archery hunters if they are competent with their equipment.  Tahr and Chamois hunts are the only exception, and the success rate is usually 85-90% as archery shots upwards of 55-60 yards are sometimes necessary.

Rivers South Safaris offers Estate Hunting for Red Deer, Elk, New Zealand Wapiti, Fallow Buck, Bull Tahr, Chamois, Arapawa Ram and Feral Goat. All of these animals can be hunted with rifle, traditional archery, crossbow and muzzleloader. Handgun hunting is not allowed in New Zealand. The quality and numbers of estate trophy animals is far superior to those free range hunts.