WAPITI BULL OR ELK (Cervus elgphus nelsoni) were first introduced from America in 1905. Wapiti are and always will be, one of New Zealand's hardest trophies to obtain free range. Because of the very low numbers of Wapiti in the wild all of our Wapiti hunts are on private Game Ranches. Wapiti are a large antlered species and are the largest round horned deer in the world averaging around 6x6 (12 points) and larger, with their body weight going up to 1000lb. The Wapiti inhabit very selective areas of New Zealand and are the biggest of the New Zealand deer species. The best of these trophies will often exceed sixty inches in both length and spread and bulls of this calibre and better can be found in our hunting areas. The prime time to hunt a Wapiti Bull is during their Rut, which is March through to end of April. The Bugle is on the same time as the Red Stag Roar and this is a great time for rifle, bow and muzzle loader hunts with exciting hunting opportunities available. Hunting Wapiti is available from February to September.

SAMBAR DEER (Cervus Unicolor) originally from Asia and we hunt the Sambar in the North Island of New Zealand. Trophy hunting for the Sambar is on private land where we possibly have some of the largest Sambar available. They are a very large deer, bigger than the Red Deer in body weight and size with a typical trophy head of 3x3, 6 points. Hunting Sambar deer is from April through to December with their rut July/August. Their habitat is thick scrub and trees and they will frequently feed out in small clearings amongst the bush. A very cunning deer which are very alert. An alarming fog horn like noise will alarm everything that hears this loud distress bark of the Sambar.

 

RUSA DEER (Cervus Timoriensis) originally from Asia we hunt in the North Island of New Zealand as well as Australia and New Caledonia.The Rusa Deer is similar in size to a Red Deer with very coarse hair and antlers growing up to 3x3, 6 points. They prefer to inhabit dense scrub, timber and bush with browsing on the edges and sometimes out in the open after sundown. Hunting Rusa Deer is available from March/April, which is when they are in velvet, through to December with their rut in July/August. This is the favourable time to hunt a trophy Rusa Stag where they have a call, which is a bellowing call with a high pitched squeech at the end of it. A very aggressive deer they will fight to their death to keep other Stags away from their females. A successful hunt after the very secretive Rusa Deer can be a very exciting and rewarding experience.