NZ Stag Outfitters

[Crow113]

I've dredged through many of the posts here already but figured I'd best ask anyway.
When my other half asked what I wanted for our honeymoon, I told him I wanted to hunt stag in NZ. Unfortunately we had to put it aside after our marriage so that we could sort out buying a home first which has put a large hole in our coffers as does the continued rising cost in every day life.
That being said, he told me he would like to try and make our trip happen in 2026, In March.

He expressed that he didn't think we would both be able to afford hunting as he was estimating for a bronze to low silver stag -360 ish sci, would cost us 10K for one. I don't want to be the only one hunting. While I'm flattered he is willing to sacrifice his chance at a stag so I can hunt, I really want to try and get us both one to bring home. I don't know when we will ever be able to really afford another trip like this honestly.
I've found a handful of outfitters that offer a two stag package in around the 10k range - give or take a little bit.

I made contact with NZ Horn and Antler Safari, as they seem to have the best deal - I'm a taxidermist and am willing to do the skinning, and prep to dry the hides myself no problem-
However my husband is a little paranoid because all the payments he's asking for are bank transfers. Which means we would have no way of getting money back if we got screwed.
- I know for a lot of hunters doing these sorts of trips 10k is pocket change and God do I wish that were the case for us. We are trying to factor in that it wont just be hunting while we are there, we also intend to do plenty of fishing and driving about - three weeks worth --

That being said, I've read two positive posts here about them, but was wondering if anyone else has hunted with them since those were posted. Or if you have suggestions for outfitters who might be able to accommodate the tighter budget for a pair of decent red stag. Or simply the reassurance that bank transfers are the way most of these things are handled. HAH
I apologize for my ignorance, this will be my first guided hunt. I have grown up hunting low fence self guided in NM and Texas and have never had to pay more than the cost of the tag.

 

[elkguide]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[passinggas33]

Look at some of the auctions associated with conventions and shows. They often have 2 hunters associated with a stag hunt. And are often “up to 400” or some certain number. This is what I did and it ended up being substantially cheaper to do it this way for 2 hunters.

 

[Nickziegler]

I'll send you a message

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

I've dredged through many of the posts here already but figured I'd best ask anyway.
When my other half asked what I wanted for our honeymoon, I told him I wanted to hunt stag in NZ. Unfortunately we had to put it aside after our marriage so that we could sort out buying a home first which has put a large hole in our coffers as does the continued rising cost in every day life.
That being said, he told me he would like to try and make our trip happen in 2026, In March.

He expressed that he didn't think we would both be able to afford hunting as he was estimating for a bronze to low silver stag -360 ish sci, would cost us 10K for one. I don't want to be the only one hunting. While I'm flattered he is willing to sacrifice his chance at a stag so I can hunt, I really want to try and get us both one to bring home. I don't know when we will ever be able to really afford another trip like this honestly.
I've found a handful of outfitters that offer a two stag package in around the 10k range - give or take a little bit.

I made contact with NZ Horn and Antler Safari, as they seem to have the best deal - I'm a taxidermist and am willing to do the skinning, and prep to dry the hides myself no problem-
However my husband is a little paranoid because all the payments he's asking for are bank transfers. Which means we would have no way of getting money back if we got screwed.
- I know for a lot of hunters doing these sorts of trips 10k is pocket change and God do I wish that were the case for us. We are trying to factor in that it wont just be hunting while we are there, we also intend to do plenty of fishing and driving about - three weeks worth --

That being said, I've read two positive posts here about them, but was wondering if anyone else has hunted with them since those were posted. Or if you have suggestions for outfitters who might be able to accommodate the tighter budget for a pair of decent red stag. Or simply the reassurance that bank transfers are the way most of these things are handled. HAH
I apologize for my ignorance, this will be my first guided hunt. I have grown up hunting low fence self guided in NM and Texas and have never had to pay more than the cost of the tag.

I've done a few international hunts and payments are always wire transfers. It always gives me a little heartburn but if you can find several examples of them following through you're fine.

 

[alaska_bou]

In New Zealand you have two choices: wild and free range hunts for stags that are realistically going to score in the mid 200" range (they will not exceed 300"), or you can hunt inside a high-fenced estate for stags ranging from 300" up to and exceeding 1,000" these days. I have hunted NZ a few times, and I will tell you that the estate hunts are very disappointing. Even on the largest estate in the country you will basically "shop" for the stag you want to shoot. Very little sense of earning the trophy. Beware of the outfitters trying to market or advertise 350-400" stags as "free range/low fence", as they are most likely buying deer farm stags and transporting them. New Zealand is a beautiful country, but the stag hunts are going to be a disappointment if you have unrealistic expectations. That said, you can get silver-class stags for $6-7k, and you can also fly home with your trophy as checked luggage (I did with mine the last time I hunted NZ). You should also beware, however, that there is often a direct correlation with pricing and the size of the estates. In otherwards, the lower the price you pay the more likely it will be that the hunt takes place on a very small property (many less than 1,000 acres).

In my opinion, you will have a much better and a much more authentic red stag experience in the Carpathians of Romania, the forests of Hungary or Poland, etc, where you can still hunt wild and unmanipulated red stags from $5k to $10k. Another good option is Argentina, where genetic programs have produced large red stags in low fence ranches at prices around the $7k range (for any size trophy).

 

[Mfloski]

I just got back for an amazing NZ hunt! I CANNOT recommend enough High Peak Station outfit! They are FIVE star and I will go back. Everything about them is amazing!!

 

[alaska_bou]

I just got back for an amazing NZ hunt! I CANNOT recommend enough High Peak Station outfit! They are FIVE star and I will go back. Everything about them is amazing!!

I agree, Simon is great.

 

[WCB]

I've dredged through many of the posts here already but figured I'd best ask anyway.
When my other half asked what I wanted for our honeymoon, I told him I wanted to hunt stag in NZ. Unfortunately we had to put it aside after our marriage so that we could sort out buying a home first which has put a large hole in our coffers as does the continued rising cost in every day life.
That being said, he told me he would like to try and make our trip happen in 2026, In March.

He expressed that he didn't think we would both be able to afford hunting as he was estimating for a bronze to low silver stag -360 ish sci, would cost us 10K for one. I don't want to be the only one hunting. While I'm flattered he is willing to sacrifice his chance at a stag so I can hunt, I really want to try and get us both one to bring home. I don't know when we will ever be able to really afford another trip like this honestly.
I've found a handful of outfitters that offer a two stag package in around the 10k range - give or take a little bit.

I made contact with NZ Horn and Antler Safari, as they seem to have the best deal - I'm a taxidermist and am willing to do the skinning, and prep to dry the hides myself no problem-
However my husband is a little paranoid because all the payments he's asking for are bank transfers. Which means we would have no way of getting money back if we got screwed.
- I know for a lot of hunters doing these sorts of trips 10k is pocket change and God do I wish that were the case for us. We are trying to factor in that it wont just be hunting while we are there, we also intend to do plenty of fishing and driving about - three weeks worth --

That being said, I've read two positive posts here about them, but was wondering if anyone else has hunted with them since those were posted. Or if you have suggestions for outfitters who might be able to accommodate the tighter budget for a pair of decent red stag. Or simply the reassurance that bank transfers are the way most of these things are handled. HAH
I apologize for my ignorance, this will be my first guided hunt. I have grown up hunting low fence self guided in NM and Texas and have never had to pay more than the cost of the tag.

My wife and I hunted with NZ Horn and Antler in 2017. I know that isn't all that recent. But I catch up with them at the Sheep Show and SCI while they are here. Great people and run a good operation. We paid through bank transfer and everything went smooth as can be. Most international/overseas hunts are handled that way. At least in my experience.

I would not hesitate to deal with NZ Horn and Antler again.