3 winter hunting getaways
Want to escape the cold? Check out the best hunting destinations abroad
Photo by T.J. Schwanky
Vanessa Harrop with a fallow deer
New Zealand
With direct flights from Vancouver to Auckland, getting to New Zealand has never been easier, and this country welcomes visiting hunters. Only a passport is required for entry, and all the paperwork for taking guns with you can be done online in advance. After arriving in New Zealand, all you have to do is visit the airport police station, pay a $25 dollar fee and you are ready to go. Just make sure all of your gear and footwear is clean, since local authorities—alert to the dangers of invasive species—are strict about visitors bringing in dirt or mud from another country.
While there are no native land mammals in New Zealand save for one variety of bat, the British brought over some interesting species in the 1800s. These include the goat-like Himalayan tahr and chamois, red stag, fallow deer, Spanish goats, wild boar and arapowa rams on the South Island; and red stag, fallow deer, Spanish goats, wild boar, arapowa rams, sika deer and rusa deer on the North Island. There are even elk and whitetail deer, with some additional opportunities for Merriams turkey, Tazmanian bush possum, rabbits, hares and even feral cats. With virtually no predators, New Zealand is a target-rich environment.
Antlered game typically begin to shed their velvet in February, and horned game is available throughout the winter. Much of New Zealand’s game is managed under high fence and many of the mountain hunts are conducted by helicopter. For the hunter who wants free-range opportunities on foot, Gerald Telford of Telford Fishing and Hunting Services is the go-to guy. Sue Telford caters to the non-hunting crowd, so this is the perfect getaway for couples.
Loading ...
No comments
Sort order:
Oldest Newest