Southern Lakes Safaris
SLS1[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1513013807547{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
New Zealand Mountain Hunting
This hunt is a true New Zealand mountain hunting experience for tahr and/or chamois.
New Zealand mountain hunting takes place in the Southern Alps. This area has some of the most remote, rugged and visually stunning landscapes Earth has to offer. The outfitters have spent their entire hunting the region, learning what it takes to make our hunters successful. What is amazing about wilderness New Zealand mountain hunting with this outfitter is that they can tailor the experience for almost any level of fitness. Regardless of your physical condition, this hunt is designed to challenge you. This challenge is what New Zealand mountain hunting is all about, and where the sense of achievement will come from for years to come with that trophy bull tahr or chamois buck on your wall.
Your hunt is fully customizable.
With too many options and combinations to list, what we prefer to do is create a package specifically tailored to your interests and preferred style of hunting. The only limitation is your imagination. Contact us to start discussing options.
On these New Zealand mountain hunting trips, you can hunt chamois, tahr, or both!
Tahr, also known as the “Monarchs of the Mountain” are renowned for their beauty, and have incredible long capes. Chamois have incredible eyesight and can be a challenge to stalk. Both species share breathtaking high mountain habitat and are a joy to hunt. Whichever species you choose to hunt, this outfitter regularly takes truly old trophy specimens on their vast concession. If you do choose the combo option, you’ll probably be hunting two slightly different areas. Dictated mostly by the weather, you’ll target one alpine species, then once you’ve bagged your first trophy you’ll move to a different area to focus on the other.
This hunt takes place in some of the most visually stunning and dramatic scenery in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
- This outfitter is well known for consistently harvesting only truly mature trophy animals.
- You’ll land the helicopter and set up a comfortable tent camp with high quality equipment.
- Working closely with local helicopter companies, they have preferential and reserved landing options for New Zealand mountain hunting.
- You’ll eat good wholesome meals and drink quality refreshments in our mountain tent camps.
- Virtually every level of fitness can be catered to.
- This wilderness New Zealand mountain hunt has a high success rate, with 100% of our hunters having a realistic opportunity to date.
The wilderness hunts are a true New Zealand mountain hunting experience.
If you choose to go with the wilderness option, the closest thing you’ll take to a shortcut is getting an initial helicopter lift into the alpine tent camp. Departing from the home base in Wanaka, you’ll make the short drive to meet the helicopter and get a lift into where you’ll be hunting. At that point, your guide will set up a very comfortable tent camp. Often, you’ll spot numerous animals directly from camp on the first evening.
From camp, you’ll hunt daily, walking to various locations the guides knows that hold quality animals. Being very selective you’ll look over numerous animals, assessing their age and horn length until deciding on just the right buck or bull to stalk. Once successful, your guide will contact the pilot for a pickup for the flight back to the main lodge.
The private land hunts are less physical.
Really, the only difference between this hunt and the wilderness hunt is that you can access the hunting areas via a 4-wheel drive (usually), and you won’t be staying in a tent camp. The proximity to the Westland ranges makes for some exceptional horn growth, and staying in a private cabin is a bonus.
Tagging out doesn’t mean you trip is over!
Once you’ve tagged out and you’re back at the lodge, you can choose to either continue hunting for the numerous other big game species, or do something entirely different. The outfitter offers some great wingshooting, legendary New Zealand fly fishing, jet boating in their private jet boat, or any combination of those from our private cabin in the rainforest of the West Coast. They also have numerous sightseeing opportunities around the resort town of Wanaka. The goal is to never have a dull moment, and they truly enjoy showing you what New Zealand has to offer.
New Zealand Mountain Hunting Includes:
- Trophy fees.
- Any helicopter costs for one pickup and dropoff.
- All airport transfers.
- Professional guiding.
- Lodging and camping equipment.
- Use of the outfitters custom carbon rifles if needed.
- Accommodation in the outfitters home base of Wanaka if needed.
- Trophy preparation and transport to the expeditor.
- High quality photography throughout your hunt.
- Quality food and beverages on the mountain and off.
- Upon your arrival, the outfitter will help you organize your hunting permit.
Not Included:
- Travel to Queenstown, New Zealand and back home.
- Taxidermy and expediting costs, although they will facilitate this for you.
- Please protect your trip with Travel Insurance
- Tips for your guide and staff.
Are you already an OUTDOORS INTERNATIONAL client?
Contact your Consultant (Be sure to reference trip #SLS1)[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”44px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”yes” top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″ background_color=”#ffffff”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”44px”][vc_column_text]
New Zealand Hunt Reports and Outfitter Reviews
Have you been on a trip with us or one of our outfitters? We’d love to hear how it went. Please fill out a trip report.[/vc_column_text][vc_masonry_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”-1″ style=”load-more” items_per_page=”6″ gap=”15″ orderby=”modified” item=”118304″ initial_loading_animation=”fadeIn” btn_title=”LOAD MORE TRIP REPORTS” btn_style=”custom” btn_custom_background=”#1e73be” btn_custom_text=”#ffffff” btn_shape=”square” btn_align=”center” grid_id=”vc_gid:1605731536807-788b3ea3-32cd-0″ taxonomies=”35489″][vc_empty_space height=”44px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1513013807547{background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”44px”][vc_column_text]
Lodging and Accommodations
On the private land hunt, you’ll be staying in a private cabin.
For this hunt, you’ll typically stay in a private cabin on or near the hunting property.
On the wilderness hunt, you’ll be staying in an alpine tent camp accessible only from helicopter.
Camp will be simple, but sufficient. You will be comfortable, but it is by no means a luxury hunt from a lodge.
Meals
You’ll be enjoying quality homestyle food at the lodge and on the mountain, with a focus on local dishes. They can cater to any dietary requirements you may have.
Guides
- For safety reasons, they like to stick to 1:1 or 2:2 guiding on wilderness New Zealand mountain hunting.
- The outfitters will handle every aspect of your tour personally.
- They will handle the pack out of your trophies, although you’re more than welcome to help.
- They have extensive experience guiding hunters in the alpine, and hold many advanced qualifications such as First Aid, Snow Safety etc.
Travel Information
You’ll fly commercially to the Queenstown Airport.
Flights from the US and Canada arrive in Auckland and from there a regional flight is taken from Auckland to Queenstown. You’ll be picked by one of the outfitters at the airport and driven to the home base in Wanaka. You may also choose a rental car and travel to Wanaka independently. We suggest arriving a few days early to overcome jet lag and become acclimated to the climate so you are fully prepared for your hunt.
Departing from the home base in Wanaka, you’ll make the short drive to camp or meet the helicopter and get a lift into where you’ll be hunting. Often, you’ll spot numerous animals directly from camp on the first evening.
From camp, you’ll hunt daily, walking to various locations the guides knows that hold quality animals. Being very selective you’ll look over numerous animals, assessing their age and horn length until deciding on just the right buck or bull to stalk. Once successful, you’ll head back down to Wanaka to continue with your New Zealand adventure.
Firearm Import into New Zealand
Please make sure you apply to import your rifle at least one month prior to your departure!
Shipping Trophies
Included in your trophy fee is all field preparation and transport to the expediter. From there, the expediter will facilitate export to your home country. Please note you are responsible for all expediting costs.
[the_ad id=”120312″][/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”44px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”yes” top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″ css=”.vc_custom_1605649649467{margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}” background_color=”#ffffff”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”44px”][vc_column_text]
Gear List
Here is all you really need to bring for fully guided New Zealand mountain hunting:
- Firearms – click here for information about importing your weapon, we also recommend bringing 40 round of ammunition.
- Backpack
- Boots – make sure they are properly worn in and cleaned. If your boots are messy with soil fragments they may not clear customs.
- Waterproof gear and rain gear – it’s possible to see rain or snow in any season. Be prepared and stay comfortable.
- Binoculars – You’ll spend a lot of time behind the glass.