GAME WE HUNT
Discover New Zealand's Premier Free-Range Game Species
New Zealand is home to some of the world's finest free-range hunting, offering a diverse range of iconic game species across spectacular alpine, high-country, and backcountry landscapes. At Free Range Hunting NZ, we specialise in genuine wilderness hunts for exceptional animals and unforgettable hunting experiences. Whether you're chasing the roar of a mature red stag, the challenge of a mountain bull tahr, or the elusive chamois, every hunt is tailored to your goals, ability, and the experience you are looking for. Explore the species we hunt below to learn more about each animal, the terrain they inhabit, and what makes hunting them in New Zealand so unique.
Red Stag
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The red stag is New Zealand's most iconic big game animal and one of the country's greatest hunting success stories. Originally introduced from Europe during the mid to late 1800s by early settlers and acclimatisation societies, red deer quickly established thriving wild populations throughout New Zealand's forests, valleys, and alpine high country. With abundant feed, ideal habitat, and careful management on many properties, New Zealand has become internationally recognised for producing exceptional free-range red stags with outstanding antler quality.
Today, hunting a free-range New Zealand red stag is considered a bucket-list experience for hunters from around the world. From the echoing roar of mature stags during the autumn rut to challenging spot-and-stalk hunts in breathtaking mountain landscapes, every hunt offers an authentic fair-chase adventure. Whether you're pursuing your first stag or searching for a true trophy, the combination of magnificent scenery, wild country, and world-class animals makes New Zealand one of the finest destinations on earth for red stag hunting.
Hunting Season: February 1 – July 31 (with the peak of the roar occurring from late March through April).
Fallow Buck
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Fallow deer were first introduced to New Zealand from Europe in the 1860s and have since established thriving wild populations throughout the country's forests, hill country, and native bush. Although smaller than the red stag, the fallow buck is widely admired for its striking appearance, featuring a distinctive spotted coat, graceful frame, and broad, palmated antlers that make it one of New Zealand's most beautiful game animals.
Renowned for their keen eyesight and cautious nature, fallow bucks provide a rewarding hunting experience that requires patience, skill, and careful stalking. During the annual rut, mature bucks become highly territorial and vocal, producing their characteristic grunting calls as they compete for does. This creates an exciting opportunity to hunt these magnificent animals at one of the most active times of the year.
New Zealand is home to exceptional free-range fallow buck trophies, attracting hunters from around the world in search of mature bucks with impressive palmated antlers and unforgettable hunting experiences.
Hunting Season: February 1 – July 31 (with the peak of the rut occurring from early to late April).
Bull Tahr
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Originally introduced from the Himalayas in 1904, Himalayan tahr have become one of New Zealand's most iconic alpine game animals. Found exclusively in the rugged Southern Alps of the South Island, these sure-footed animals inhabit steep bluffs, rocky faces, and remote mountain basins, making them one of the most challenging and rewarding species to hunt.
Mature bull tahr are instantly recognisable by their impressive dark coats and long, flowing winter manes, which can grow to over 30 centimetres in length. During the colder months when the bulls are at their most stunning they can be found amongst large groups of tahr, competing for mating rights, offering hunters the opportunity to pursue trophy animals in some of the most spectacular mountain scenery New Zealand has to offer.
A bull tahr hunt is as much about the experience as the trophy itself. From climbing through alpine tussock and navigating rugged terrain to glassing distant faces for mature bulls, every hunt is an unforgettable mountain adventure that showcases the raw beauty of New Zealand's Southern Alps.
Hunting Season: Available year-round, with the prime trophy season from May through August, when bulls carry their full winter coats and long manes.
Chamois Buck
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Originally introduced from Europe in 1907, chamois have established thriving populations throughout New Zealand's Southern Alps and are regarded as one of the country's most prized alpine game animals. Agile, alert, and exceptionally sure-footed, they inhabit steep mountain faces, rocky bluffs, and open alpine basins where their sharp eyesight and natural instincts make them a challenging species to pursue.
The chamois buck is recognised by its distinctive black facial markings, rich brown winter coat, and elegant, hook-shaped horns. Hunting these remarkable animals often involves long periods of glassing and careful stalking through rugged alpine terrain, rewarding hunters with an unforgettable mountain experience in some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery.
Highly valued for both their beauty and the challenge they present, chamois are a favourite among hunters seeking a true alpine adventure and one of New Zealand's most iconic mountain trophies.
Hunting Season: Available year-round, with the prime trophy season from May through August, when bucks carry their full winter coats and are in excellent condition.
Wild Boar
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Wild boar have been part of New Zealand's hunting heritage since the late 1700s, when pigs were first introduced by European explorers and settlers. Over time, they spread throughout the country and established wild populations in native bush, rugged hill country, and remote backcountry, becoming one of New Zealand's most popular game animals.
Renowned for their intelligence, resilience, and keen sense of smell, wild boar offer an exciting and unpredictable hunting experience. Mature boars are distinguished by their heavy build, prominent tusks, and thick shoulder shields, making them highly respected trophies among hunters. Every hunt is different, whether stalking quietly through dense bush or glassing open country in search of a solitary boar.
With healthy populations across much of New Zealand, wild boar provide outstanding hunting opportunities throughout the year and are an excellent addition to many hunting packages.
Hunting Season: Available year-round.
Feral Goat
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Feral goats were first introduced to New Zealand by early European settlers in the 1800s and have since established widespread populations throughout the country. Highly adaptable and resilient, they thrive in steep hill country, rocky outcrops, and rugged backcountry, where they are well known for their agility and ability to navigate challenging terrain.
Mature billy goats are recognised by their heavy horns, long beards, and distinctive appearance. While often overlooked, they provide an enjoyable and rewarding hunt, requiring careful glassing and stalking in varied landscapes. Their abundance and accessibility also make them an excellent option for both experienced hunters and those looking to add another species to their hunt.
Feral goats offer exciting hunting opportunities year-round and are a great addition to a New Zealand multi-species hunting adventure.
Hunting Season: Available year-round.
Other Game we Hunt
Turkey
Wild turkeys were introduced to New Zealand in the early 1900s and have established healthy populations in several regions of the country. Renowned for their keen eyesight, wary nature, and impressive fan displays, mature gobblers provide an exciting and rewarding hunting experience for both rifle and bow hunters.
Hunting Season: Available year-round, with the prime hunting period from August through September, when mature gobblers become increasingly active ahead of and during the breeding season.
Arapawa Ram
The Arapawa ram is one of New Zealand's rarest and most distinctive heritage sheep. Descended from sheep brought to New Zealand by early European settlers in the 1800s, the breed developed in isolation on Arapawa Island in the Marlborough Sounds, retaining many of its original characteristics. Today, Arapawa rams are highly regarded for their impressive spiral horns, unique colour variations, and historic significance.
Hunting Season: Available year-round.
Sika
- North Island
Sika deer were introduced to New Zealand from Japan in 1905 and have established a renowned wild population in the central North Island. Although smaller than red deer, Sika stags are highly respected for their intelligence, exceptional senses, and elusive nature, making them one of New Zealand's most challenging game animals.
Hunting Season: March 1 – October 31 (with the peak of the rut occurring from April through May).
Rusa
- North Island
Rusa deer were introduced to New Zealand from Indonesia in the early 1900s and have established wild populations in parts of the North Island. Recognised for their dark coats, rugged appearance, and strong, heavily built antlers, Rusa stags are highly regarded for their toughness and resilience.
Hunting Season: Available year-round, with the peak rut occurring from July through August.
Sambar
- North Island
Sambar deer were introduced to New Zealand from India and Sri Lanka in the late 1800s and early 1900s, establishing small but valued wild populations. Known for their impressive size, dark colouring, and powerful antlers, Sambar are one of New Zealand’s most challenging and sought-after deer species.
Hunting Season: Available year-round, with the peak rut occurring from June through July.