My Grandad spent most of his life in the backcountry, and while he wasn’t a hunter, he was an avid tramper (hiker/backpacker) and would spend days on end in the hills. I dabbled in a small amount of tramping under my Grandad’s influence growing up, but it wasn’t until I got into hunting in my mid-twenties that I started to properly explore the New Zealand backcountry. This opened up a whole new world for me, and the more time I spent regaling my hunting stories with my family

It was our last free weekend in the South Island before the annual migration to go back up north just after Labour Weekend began, and the spring had been rainy and windy so we hadn’t been out as much as we had hoped. The last few hunts had been local, and I was keen to explore the beauty of the backcountry a little further afield and head up to DoC land behind Lilybank station between the Godley and the Macaulay valleys. Once again, the forecast didn’t look great, and last m

After chasing Tahr most of last winter, and only catching the crafty Chamois from afar (usually watching from the tops as we sneak up on a mob of Tahr!), this winter I wanted to focus my hunting on a nice Chamois buck. Winters in Wanaka provide plenty of good Chamois country to explore, and after a couple of hunts where we saw only nannies and kids, or nothing at all, we were onto the third trip of the season – heading up into the public Department of Conservation (DoC) area.

Tips for Air Travel (Part 2) – Finding Flight Pitfalls – The Carry-On Conundrum Your mother always said; make sure you have extra clean underwear in your carry on. Though that is still true, there are a few other things you should consider in when packing your luggage before a hunting trip. Your carry on. Yes, clean underwear is a must! But you should also consider what you will need if your luggage gets delayed and you have to hunt before your luggage is returned. First, you

Tips for Air Travel (Part 1) – Finding Flight Pitfalls – The Layover Seasoned travelers and rookies alike, traveling to and from your destination dream hunt could be the most stressful part of your hunt. You do not want to start your trip with a missed flight or end your trip stuck in an airport on standby because the plane left without you. There are so many things to consider I am going to break these tips up into parts. A goodbye photo before leaving for New Zealand Part 1

I stand on the steep slope of the mountain taking in the scene below. Lake Ohau looms a brilliant blue in the distance welcoming the glacier waters from the rivers that meander through the valley. I take a deep breath and inhale the cool, crisp mountain air. My heart is thumping in my chest, my mind is racing and I am giddy with excitement as we cross the thick scrub to my animal. This morning started the same as most mornings working for Southern Mountain Adventures in New Z

Plane tickets, trophy fees, daily rates, taxidermy, gun permits...The thought of hunting internationally can be daunting to the hunter on a limited budget. Do not let all the details bog you down. You do not have to be rich and famous to hunt internationally. Just a few simple tips and the process becomes an achievable goal rather than a bucket list dream. First, determine your priority. What is most important on your list? Sure you want to hunt a red stag in New Zealand and