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Our Hunting Season.
High Peak Hunting primarily operates over 4 1/2 months between mid-February and the end of June. We do offer hunts outside of these dates by arrangement.
New Zealand has no restrictions on big game hunting, so we can hunt year-round. However, we tend to focus our trophy hunting operations around when our animals are at their peak. Red Stag antlers tend to be fully hardened by mid-February, with the rut taking place in April. Fallow and elk are similar and all antlered species hunt well throughout the season.
Our alpine species, tahr and chamois, hunt well throughout the season, with their rut in May-June. Their capes are at their best from May onward. If hunters wish to target these animals, we suggest visiting us in May and June. Ram, goat and boar hunt well year-round.
We tend to book out 2-3 years in advance, so don’t hesitate to get in touch to book your spot.
A Typical Hunt.
High Peak 5-day packages and custom hunts follow the below sequence – with flexibility whenever required.
Day 0 (pre-hunt): We suggest hunters and guests arrive in Christchurch a day early to avoid flight and baggage issues.
Day 1: Pickup at 9am from accommodation in Christchurch. Travel one hour to High Peak Station for welcome and hunt briefing. Visit rifle range for rifle familiarisation and zero check. Head into hunting area to start scouting, spotting and hunting.
Day 2-4 (or more if a custom package): Hunting. Early breakfast then into the field for daybreak. Field lunch. Return to lodge after hunting. Non-hunters to join the hunt or partake in arranged activities. Drinks and dinner in the evening.
Day 5 (or later if a custom package): Hunt in the morning; otherwise leisurely start, cooked breakfast, meet taxidermist, collect trophies, settle up final account, departure to Christchurch, airport or alternative destination.
Post-hunt: High Peak, taxidermist and shipping agent to communicate with hunter on taxidermy and shipping arrangements.
Booking & Deposits.
Bookings: Hunt bookings can be secured with a 50% deposit of the trip booked value (if the hunt is more than 2 years out, dates can be secured with a 25% deposit with the balance payable in a year’s time).
Deposits: Booking deposits can be taken via credit card or bank wire. Deposits are non-refundable but can be transferred to another date or another hunter.
Rescheduling: Hunts can be rescheduled any time before July 1 the year prior to the hunt. Hunters are permitted one free rescheduling. For subsequent reschedulings, a fee may be charged.
Late Reschedulings: For rescheduling after July 1 the year prior to the hunt, we require the balance of the booked hunt to be paid (this is because it becomes difficult to book the vacated dates inside a year leading up to the hunt).
Upgrades and Additions: Hunts can be upgraded or added to at any stage in the lead up to and during the hunt. High Peak guarantees the provision of any animal (or better) secured with a 50% deposit.
Firearms & Equipment.
We know that bringing your rifle or bow to High Peak may be a very important part of your hunt experience.
We are also aware that travelling with firearms is becoming increasingly difficult. For that reason, we provide high quality firearms for our guests to use, free of charge. All firearms are appropriate for the job, and are often our guides own personal setups. Hunters will have the opportunity to check, sight and familiarise themselves with our (or their own) firearms on our purpose-built range.
Our guides will supply all key equipment, including optics and knives. You are welcome to bring anything of your own, especially binoculars and rangefinders. If you do with to import your own rifle, please ask us for guidance on how to do this.
Travel, Visas & Money.
Travel to New Zealand is straightforward for most countries. Some may require a visa but many, such as the USA, do not. Instead, we have the NZeTA visa-waiver program, which is a brief document that is usually approved within 24 hours. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure.
You may bring up to $10,000 NZD in equivalent foreign currency into New Zealand. We suggest bringing this for tips; otherwise, foreign currency should be exchanged for NZD. Most hunters utilise credit or debit cards to avoid bringing cash. Deposits and hunt balances can be settled up via debit or credit card, or bank wire transfer.
Remember, seasons in New Zealand are reversed from those in the Northern Hemisphere, and we are one of the first countries in the world to see the new day – two factors to keep in mind when packing and planning travel dates.
Taking Meat Home.
Many hunters understandably wish to take the meat from their hunt home with them.
It is possible, however we offer no guarantees as to whether you will get the meat past customs. As an alternative, we will try and incorporate your kill into our menu in the lodge. For the remaining meat, we donate it to the Hope Community Trust via our Friends at Hunters 4 Hope.
This way hunters know that their harvest is going to a fine cause, providing top quality protein to those in need.
Taxidermy & Shipping.
The care and final preservation of your trophy is an incredibly important part of the hunt experience, and we are lucky to work with the best in the business.
Big Game Taxidermy, owned by Janine and Andrew Holt, will take care of you trophies once they depart our care and will prepare them for expediting or mounting, depending on your preference. Their work is second to none and you will not be disappointed.
Shipping is taken care of by Geoff Olsen of GODO NZ. As New Zealand’s premier trophy shipper, Geoff knows the channels intimately and will arrange the safe transit of your mounts.
Taxidermy and shipping can all be arranged at the conclusion of the hunt.
Tips & Gratuities.
Tipping isn’t generally considered part of New Zealand culture but it has become the norm for our international hunters.
There is no hard and fast rule around tipping, but it should only be done in the case of excellent service. We can provide a more detailed guide, however 10% of hunt spend is a good rule of thumb, split between guides and lodge staff. We suggest bringing cash for this purpose – USD is fine – then you can just take home whatever you don’t spend.
Ask us anything.
There’s plenty to consider when booking a hunt to New Zealand, so please ask us for advice.
Ask us anything.
There’s plenty to consider when booking a hunt to New Zealand, so please ask us for advice.
FAQ
Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions.
How long is the flight to New Zealand?
Flights between New Zealand and the USA are usually between 11-13 hours depending on the airport and direction. Some airlines fly directly into Christchurch.
Am I expected to tip the High Peak team?
There is no expectation to tip, although pretty much all clients do. Tips should only be given for good service or better.
Should I bring cash?
You can bring US cash for tips. There isn’t much point in bringing cash for purchases as it is hard to exchange and most places accept cards.
Do I need a firearms license or hunting permit?
No. As a guided hunter, you will be under our jurisdiction and hunting private land.
Can I add hunters to my booking?
Yes – as long as we have space, you’re welcome to bring as many hunters as you like!
Can I book a longer hunt than 5 days?
Yes – it will depend on availability, what you wish to hunt and the overall hunt plan, but we can book trips to any length.
What happens if my flight is delayed or I lose my luggage?
We deal with these issues often as part of international travel and it rarely affects the outcome of the hunt. We suggest hunters allow for such contingencies in their plans.
