New Zealand’s Whitetail originated from New Hampshire in 1905. These are timid and shy animals which are very difficult to hunt, but rewarding with success. Two wild populations exist in New Zealand, the first in Stewart Island and the second down near Queenstown.

The New Zealand Trophies are not large by North American Standards, with an excellent trophy being 100-120 SCI points.

Wilderness Quest NZ offers estate hunts for whitetail on the West coast of the South Island about 2 ½ hours drive from our river lodge. These are some of the best whitetail bucks available in New Zealand. Here the animals are intensely managed to produce some great trophies.

With the increased difficulty of taking these animals free-range, preserve hunts are much more popular. The rut is in April - May, but can be hunted March - June.

HIGHLIGHTS -

• Beautiful rainforest scenery
• Some of the best whitetail buck in New Zealand
• Pickup from Christchurch Airport
• Luxurious new modern cabin lodgings
• Wonderful meals
• Friendly, experienced guides
• Hunting from March - June
• After hunt you can go a bit further down coastline and view the
  awesome Franz and Fox Glaciers
• Monster preserve red stag, wild red stag, arapawa ram, feral goat
  and wild boar hunts right at your back door.
• Crystal clear blue river with world renowned brown trout fishing
• Paradise duck and black swan hunting after May 6th
• Turkey Hunting
• Night eeling - Can reach 3 ft long
• Horse-back riding
• Only 1 or 2 hunting groups on Haupiri Valley at a time, for your ultimate enjoyment
• Train ride after quest back to Christchurch from Greymouth through Arthurs Pass
  on www.tranzscenic.co.nz. 4 hour train ride is often considered best in the world.