Bow hunting Red stag in New Zealand

Why Choose New Zealand for bow hunting red stag?

Bow hunting red stag and all our species in New Zealand is something we do a lot of. Bow hunting for New Zealand red stag is done via spot and stalk style in mountainous terrain, so the better shape you are in will present you with more opportunities. However we can adjust our approach to match any hunter. Each day you will get shooting opportunities on red stags sub 50yards. Typical shots for red stag bow hunts are 30 to 60 yards and sometimes closer. Oftentimes with bow hunting red stag we are less focused on the biggest or best-looking animal and more so on what will provide the best chance of success. Bow hunting for red stags are most commonly hunted, with fallow deer being second. Tahr and chamois hunting with a bow is extremely difficult, as the challenge with the rifle in the extreme alpine terrain is more than enough. However for those up for the challenge we can hunt all species with the bow and would have the best success rate in our country for all species. We have experienced guides with lots of experience bow hunting, this makes a difference in getting you in close and having a successful hunt.

Best time of year for Red stag bow hunts?

We are successful at bow hunting red stag and all species from February through to July. It’s a mis -conception that you have to come during the red stag rut (March/April). Experienced bow hunters know the pre and post rut/roar is a great time to hunt as the animals are predictably feeding, this give the hunters opportunities to spot game feeding, then plan a stalk when the wind or thermals are in our favor. Animals will feed then bed down and allows us to sneak into position. The roar is amazing to see and hear, however unlike other species, the New Zealand stags don’t come to calls. Often the stags are alert and always on the look out for females or other stags to fight. This can cause headaches when trying to get close. However, with patience we always get our hunters into opportunities each day no matter what time of year.

Typical shot distance and success tips:

Typical shots are 30-60yards, however the further you can shoot provides more opportunities. Remember the kill zone in a red stag is a big target, so practice lots before you come so you can execute on the opportunities on world class red stag. Here is some tips to increase your success:

• Practice shooting from a variety of positions, sitting, kneeling, up hill, down hill, side hill, etc.

• Learn to draw behind cover, then step out for shot. Drawing in direct site of the animal is a perfect way to send it running. Also practice drawing low, then rise to shoot. This is an important skill experienced bow hunters master.

• The better physical fitness you are in the more stalks and options you will have to get close to game. Do the work before your trip to maximize your experience and opportunities.

• fixed or mechanical broad-heads are both great. Choose what you are most comfortable with and bring more arrows than you plan on using. No one ever wants to run out of arrows and we have had this a few times.

• Single pin vs multi-pin sight? I prefer multi pins as too many times I’ve seen lost opportunities when a moving animal stops, and the hunter has to release to bow to change the range. Have a 3-5 pin and adjustable sight seems to be the best option for spot and stalk style bow hunting for red stag.

• Practice holding your bow at full draw for long periods of time before shooting targets. This gets you muscles use to hunting situations when your waiting for that animal to take one more step while holding at full draw.

• We have bow targets at the lodge. Shoot your bow daily when in camp to keep muscle memory in place for when you get your shot.

  Insurance policy?

  We strongly believe in ethical hunting and not letting animals suffer if the bow shot didn’t hit in the kill zone. In the event can cannot get close enough again with bow, we promote the guide carrying a rifle. In this situation the guide will pass the rifle to the client to do the ethical thing and put the animal down before it escapes. This is what we call our insurance policy and we believe this is the most ethical thing we can do to respect the game we hunt.
  

Click on our recent successful bow hunting images to enlarge.

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