Considering NZ or Argentina for stag… experiences/advice?

RLXFXR

FNG
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Nov 19, 2019
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I’m looking to do a New Zealand or Argentinian red stag hunt in 2025. Can anyone offer experiences/insight into their experience and why they chose one place over the other? I’m wondering if one is easier/cheaper to ship/import horns and hide to the U.S.
 
I've had two close friends go to NZ for stag and both had a great time. Those giant stag all come from HF operations, no judgement against that type of hunting just wanting to make you aware. I can get the outfitters contact for you. I have been to Argentina although for a dove/duck hunt and the accommodations and hunts were absolutely first class all the way. Argentina was one of the few places that I felt I really need to get back to ASAP.
 
I've had two close friends go to NZ for stag and both had a great time. Those giant stag all come from HF operations, no judgement against that type of hunting just wanting to make you aware. I can get the outfitters contact for you. I have been to Argentina although for a dove/duck hunt and the accommodations and hunts were absolutely first class all the way. Argentina was one of the few places that I felt I really need to get back to ASAP.
Fortunately, I’m not looking for a giant stag
 
Personally, if I were doing this hunt, I'd do it one of two ways. If going guided, I'd book Patagonia, Argentina. According to the people I know who've done it, they said it was a blast.

If you're going DIY, NZ is where it's at. But keep in mind the free-range stags locals shoot are nothing like the freaks behind the fences. Another bonus of NZ is all the other stuff you can add on. DIY tahr and chamois in the Southern Alps is the best value around.
 
I went to NZ in 23 it was a good experience but not an awesome hunt. Outfitter was great and his area was relatively big but high fenced as all are except for some government lands. It wasn't grueling or real physical but fun just not like a normal hunt I take because of high fence which I guess I have a dislike of.

Just a suggestion but after your hunt of 3 or 4 day as they usually aren't real long rent a camper van and do the South or North Island. I did a month in a van a lot of free camping some paid relatively cheap and it is an awesome country to see. I'll go back in a year or two buy a camper van spend 3 months on both islands and then sell the van before I leave. Have fun either way Argentina or NZ.
 
A friend of mine went to Argentina and killed a beautiful stag and was unable to import it. Turned into a giant debacle with the outfitter. He’s the only person I’ve heard have a bad experience in Argentina. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
I had always wanted to go to NZ anyway so did a stag/tahr hunt there. I'm no expert with fences, free range type scenarios but I'll give you some insight on my hunt. Places I hunted had fences. When I questioned the guides/owners they would swear up and down the stag could easily jump them and they were not just planted there. Said they lose stags every year that jump the fences. Truth or not....who knows. I feel like most places that can put a price tag on a relative size animal prob is a "fenced" operation that we think of. My hunt was that. I wanted to kill a big one during the roar for my likely one time trip and I was successful at that. Lots of hiking, no baiting or anything that I saw, and we saw quite a few animals. The tahr hunt was no fences at all and in the wilderness area. Locals and government see them as pests and not uncommon for the government to kill a bunch if harvest quotas are not being met with hunters. Did see a few stags out and about when on the tahr hunt but nothing great. No natural predators there which was very interesting to me. An animal carcass would just lay there for months rotting away. Also the locals could care less about the stags. They love hog hunting with dogs though. Best part of the trip was my wife and father in law went and my hunt was over in 3 day and I spent the rest of my time touring the south island, enjoying food and the experience. Beautiful place to visit and very much into a sustainable culture and makes you realize how dirty the states really area. I would 100 percent suggest that trip whether you do a free range/fence/just touring visit.
 
I had always wanted to go to NZ anyway so did a stag/tahr hunt there. I'm no expert with fences, free range type scenarios but I'll give you some insight on my hunt. Places I hunted had fences. When I questioned the guides/owners they would swear up and down the stag could easily jump them and they were not just planted there. Said they lose stags every year that jump the fences. Truth or not....who knows. I feel like most places that can put a price tag on a relative size animal prob is a "fenced" operation that we think of. My hunt was that. I wanted to kill a big one during the roar for my likely one time trip and I was successful at that. Lots of hiking, no baiting or anything that I saw, and we saw quite a few animals. The tahr hunt was no fences at all and in the wilderness area. Locals and government see them as pests and not uncommon for the government to kill a bunch if harvest quotas are not being met with hunters. Did see a few stags out and about when on the tahr hunt but nothing great. No natural predators there which was very interesting to me. An animal carcass would just lay there for months rotting away. Also the locals could care less about the stags. They love hog hunting with dogs though. Best part of the trip was my wife and father in law went and my hunt was over in 3 day and I spent the rest of my time touring the south island, enjoying food and the experience. Beautiful place to visit and very much into a sustainable culture and makes you realize how dirty the states really area. I would 100 percent suggest that trip whether you do a free range/fence/just touring visit.
Thanks for sharing your experience
 
I had always wanted to go to NZ anyway so did a stag/tahr hunt there. I'm no expert with fences, free range type scenarios but I'll give you some insight on my hunt. Places I hunted had fences. When I questioned the guides/owners they would swear up and down the stag could easily jump them and they were not just planted there. Said they lose stags every year that jump the fences. Truth or not....who knows. I feel like most places that can put a price tag on a relative size animal prob is a "fenced" operation that we think of. My hunt was that. I wanted to kill a big one during the roar for my likely one time trip and I was successful at that. Lots of hiking, no baiting or anything that I saw, and we saw quite a few animals. The tahr hunt was no fences at all and in the wilderness area. Locals and government see them as pests and not uncommon for the government to kill a bunch if harvest quotas are not being met with hunters. Did see a few stags out and about when on the tahr hunt but nothing great. No natural predators there which was very interesting to me. An animal carcass would just lay there for months rotting away. Also the locals could care less about the stags. They love hog hunting with dogs though. Best part of the trip was my wife and father in law went and my hunt was over in 3 day and I spent the rest of my time touring the south island, enjoying food and the experience. Beautiful place to visit and very much into a sustainable culture and makes you realize how dirty the states really area. I would 100 percent suggest that trip whether you do a free range/fence/just touring visit.
Thanks for your insight, it helps
 
In NZ you will get a few kinds of hunts.

1) DIY public land.
2) Guided on public land.
3) Guided on private land.

DIY I actually advise against unless you are willing to go back empty handed. You almost always need to go in by helicopter into a place that is not picked over by the locals. You won't know the terrain, won't know the animals, won't know the weather conditions, etc. It's doable, but has risks of disappointment.

Guided on public land will again likely go in by heli to a place the guide or heli operator knows will have good animals. The guide will be well versed in terrain, animals, behavior, etc. It will be a true free range hunt and will have good chance of success depending on when you come. I'd suggest going during the roar for the full experience. You should be in good physical condition for this kind of hunt. While not as rough as DIY, you will be backcountry and not with creature comforts.

Guided on private is mixed as they cater towards all types. You will get guys that want to spend days roaming around finding a good animal, and others that come in for the day to shoot a big stag, get their photos, and then leave. You will have animals behind the wire in many cases. Now the fence may be on 10s of thousands of acres mind you so it may not be as easy as you may think. But still yes the animals will be well known by the land owner where they are, where they congregate, sizes, etc. This would have a high chances of success. You can travel by shank's pony, quad, etc. They will want to know your fitness level and you can tailor it to what you want. They will have very good accommodations often, or you may sleep in the wool shed.

The last kind of hunt are for people that want genetic freaks. These animals will 100% of the time be behind the wire on small paddocks. Their antlers mean they are not going to be in the wild. They are bred, fed, and kept for hunters to shoot and take photos next to. They will be the easiest to hunt as basically they are not allowed to really roam around. But, you are almost guaranteed an animal.

So really it just depends what you want and how much time/money you have.
 
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