The daily rate includes pick up from Christchurch International Airport and return, all accommodation and meals during hunt, guiding, use of firearms and the field preparation of the trophies.  The day rate includes NZ Goods and Services tax of 12.5%.

The first Sika Stag were introduced into New Zealand in 1885. They were liberated on the Otekaieke Estate, near Oamaru in North Otago on South Island. They survived for a few years but they were implicated in crop damage and are believed to have been shot out by local land owners. In 1905 a second attempt was made near Merrylees Clearing on the eastern boundary of the North Kaimanawa Forest in central North Island These deer, 3 stags and 3 hinds donated to the New Zealand Government by the Duke of Bedford from his Woburn Abby Deer Park in England, were to form the basis of the central North Island herd we have today.

The New Zealand Sika deer herd is clearly of mixed origin. It is generally considered that genes from at least three Mainland Chinese races, two Japanese races and perhaps even some red deer genes may have been present in the animals liberated. Both the genetic origins of the original stock and the new environment of the central North Island in which they have now spent almost a century have greatly influenced the current Sika deer herd.

The current herd is extremely variable depending on the history of colonization, habitat type, hunting pressure and deer density, but there are basically 2 distinctly recognizable types. The "Chinese" type has wide spreading antlers, extra tops, a white bib and some spotting in winter. The shoulder height is around 40"-41". The "Japanese" type has narrow upright antlers, no extra tops, no white bib and no spotting in winter. The shoulder height is around 33"-36". Many sika share characteristics of both types and hybridization with red deer are not uncommon where the respective distribution of the two Sika deer species overlaps.

The current range of the main herd includes the Kaimanawa, Ahimanawa and Kawaka Ranges – a total of some 8800 square kilometers. With an estimated annual harvest of over 7,500 deer, Sika is a hunting asset of national significance. Where their impact on habitat quality has been restricted they produce a significant number of world class trophies each year, however, in other areas where deer density has remained high for long periods they have seriously depleted their range and this had had a negative influence on deer condition, reproductive rates and antler production.

These small but aggressive stag are very vocal, especially during the 'rut', which takes place in April and May.

Sika can be hunted from late February through till September. Local hunters prize the Sika stag because of it is alert and elusive, and exciting to hunt. Antlers are generally 4x4 and make a very attractive trophy.

Global Sporting Safaris is an authorized U.S. Booking Agency for Kiwi Safaris New Zealand.