Lahar Farm: Best trophy red & sika stag hunting, New Zealand(Red Stags)

Red Stags

The best Red stag hunts are in our “Black Forest Safari Park” and the adjoining “Wildside Hunting” property. Here the genetic potential for massive heads have been managed and encouraged allowing us to present to you a range of stags that are the finest. From bronze, silver, gold to gold plus SCI medal range. The sound of the roar echoes around the Black Forest on a cold and frosty morning as you wait in your bow stand or stalk through the forest to meet the unknown deer that promises to be the best hunt yet.

The South Pacific Red deer rut commences in late March, peaking in the 2nd and 3rd week of April. The “roar” of the red stag is enough to excite the most experienced hunter no matter what class of trophy you wish to take. Imagine waiting in a small Black Forest clearing while your guide roars a challenge to the stag who materialises aggressively out of the bush only metres from you.

Free range red deer are available within the huge expanse of Tongariro National Park, they are generally a bronze standard or less, and very difficult and time consuming to hunt. You must be athletic and have a week or more to achieve your target in the National Park! Red deer may also be hunted on other private properties which have more easily roared or stalked red deer of the bronze medal category. Ideal properties for recreational management hunts at anytime of the year. Bushy terrain with manuka clad hills accessed by ATV or on foot to a bush hut.

With the varied properties we have access to we can provide you with your special RED deer, just let us know your requirements when you book.

Red deer in New Zealand

Cervus Elaphus or Red deer were first introduced into New Zealand in 1851 from English parks. With our mild climate, the lack of any predators, plus widespread releases, they were soon established throughout the country.

Reds occur almost wherever any land is in bush and on scrub areas of large farms. They are in reasonably large numbers and can be hunted at any time of the year on private land without a hunting permit, although a hunting permit is required to hunt on Department of Conservation land. The shooter must possess a gun licence.

Average trophies in the wild are nowadays 8-10 points, with a number of 12 pointers about 35 inches long shot each year. They are very vocal during the roar and are usually stalked by following the roar.

They inhabit the dense bush country and in many cases the shot is taken at 25 yards or so.

It is usual to find visiting hunters free range wild trophies of 10 and 12 points plus but with few guarantees of greater success. However, these animals usually stay well hidden until the roar when they are most vulnerable.

New Zealand Guides generally hunt safari parks or protected herds on large areas of private land, this is because our government classifies all deer species as introduced and in their opinion needing to be exterminated. Hence the protection of deer is promoted by private safari park owners. Thus Park hunts tend to have a much enhanced chance of success with much larger trophy heads.