The first Red Deer were introduced into the wild in New Zealand in 1871. - Acclimatisation Societies were formed to bring-in game land mammals ( and fish like Trout & Salmon) for both food and sport for some sixty years from the 1860s - as there were no mammals here other than the small NZ Bat!
There had been a variety of flightless birds from the small Kiwis and Weka (known locally as "Bush Hens") to very large grazing Moa (- now long extinct). I'd say that this lack of wild meat must have greatly increased the popularity of SHEEP for the early settlers - and made the often unwise importation of Pigs, Rabbits, Hare and later stoats and ferrets to control the rabbits a more urgent need !!
Those indigenous ground birds, and native pigeons would have provided many a hungry traveller with "tea" by the camp-fires flickering light before rolling-up in a blanket a couple of hundred years ago - but are all now protected species.
Nowadays there is 'rough shooting' around farming areas for pig, rabbit, hare, possums, and wallaby - all "introduced" pest animals. But true Hunting is available higher-up into the bush country and mountains - where bigger game animals remain and present a fine challenge to the fitness and marksmanship of keen hunters.
Thar were introduced into the Central Southern Alps area (South Island) in 1904 from The Himalayas and although today regarded as a pest species by the Department Of Conservation - DOC - are a highly valued and challenging target trophy animal. (- tastes good too).
Chamois (1907), another mountain goat-like animal, are also at home in our high country - and are also officially classed as pests to be controlled.
As well as Red Deer there are viable herds of Fallow Deer, Rusa, Sambar, Sika, and Wapati and Whitetail Deer populations are to be found and may be hunted. Moose were introduced into remote, wet, Fiordland in 1910 but are believed to have all died out since 1956 when perhaps the last one was shot - but traces have been observed in 2002.
There not being any dangerous or BIG animals in New Zealand (nor any snakes) - a typical rifle here might be a 7x57mm, 6.5x55mm, 223", 222", or 7.62x39mm. - For many years sporterised ex-army SMLE .303" rifles were serving as tough low cost hunters tools but are fading-away now.
There is an extensive 'network' of "Huts" throughout the New Zealand back country - many are serviced and maintained by DOC while others are privately owned or are cared-for by hunting groups such as The New Zealand Deer Stalkers Association.
These 'Huts' vary from simple mountain shelters on the snowline , old stock-mens huts, up to well equipped large bunkhouses with cooking and toilet facilities - very popular with Trampers, climbers, and hunters. Those facilities on the well trodden tracks such as the 'Heaphy Track' are so well used that there is a need to advance book bunk-space with DOC.
- As I write there are several new huts being built on Stewart Island in an effort to reduce the need of bush walkers carrying in bivouac materials like plastic sheeting.
We get quiet a lot of overseas hunters visiting - usually shooting with organised hunting guides - and the fishing is good too for those into fly-fishing or sea fishing. However I have noticed during my time here (nearly 40 years) that population pressures are growing and hunting areas have become more restricted and controlled.
Marty K
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