Well I am in new Zealand right now, and will likely be back again in March/ April for the same reasons as you guys, fishing and hunting. Ive just come back from thar hunting trip, that was abandoned, due to extreme river flooding, and major southern artic storm, that is hammering the south island, with snow to 200m, Welcome to spring. three weeks of #### weather.
King fish and snapper, I recommend epic charters in Tirau,
Nz hunting is different than Canada, animals can be hunted all year round, with no limits and limited rules, You will have to put sum degree of effort in, I recommend the east coast central Canterbury for mountain game, Thar and chamois, red deer. the McCauley is a good option, as is the likes of the Godley river, Dobson, I would contact Doc (department of conservation) Twizel, for up to date info, there is currently a major campaign to cull 30-80% of the Thar, so may be tough if your in a hammered area. you will also need a hunting perit from DOC, this is free and can be done online before you go.
NZ police will issue you with a one year firearm licance when you pick up rifles at Auckland airport, think this cost $30 NZ, so make sue you have sum cash.
Closer you are to the main range,(southern alps) the more Thar, High Thar numbers, will tend to push out chamois, and red deer will need access to bush and scrub so limited, deer in good Thar areas.
There is a serious of Spot X books aviable here in NZ, that are hunting and fishing guides, with access info/ animal's, tips, hut info, track info and land owner contats etc, I recommend your purchases the hunting and freshwater one, this will help you plan and decide, what areas to fish and hunt self guided. , I purchess, 1-50000 grid maps, of my intending hunting area, and plan finial activities from there.
NZ weather is much more fickle, that what you are used to, pay attention to conditions, take quality wet weather gear, and be prepared to sit and wait out poor conditions, and flooded creeks and river, hunters and hikers die every year, for failing to do so.
Any further questions I happy answer if I can.
If your driving down south, be sure to stop in Levin and check out the swazi outdoor line of clothing, sum of the best in the world, and good place to pick up end of line and seconds at a great price, much of the American line clothing, is not as quite in the bush and as durable in extreme wet.
For self guided, Twizel/ Tekapo are a very good option, for both freshwater and hunting, thousands of rabbits as well as deer, Thar, chamois and pigs with in a 50km radius. Tekapo Hellicopers might be worth contacting, and booking a trip in if you have limited time, or no access to a 4x4. This is a busy time for hunting so booking a flight in may be wise.
good hunting on the west coast, but much steep and harder country. Be prepared to shoot to 400m for NZ Mountain game, often across gully shots.
regards Southernman.
