New Zealand Safaris
Elk Hunting New Zealand
The largest of our game animals
Elk, or Wapiti, were gifted to New Zealand by President Roosevelt in 1909, when 20 animals were released in George Sound, Fiordland, in the South Island.
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The Largest of Our Big Game
Elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), or Wapiti, are the largest of all the big game hunting species in New Zealand. This huge deer — up to 1,000 lb — is the largest of the round-horned deer in the world, with antlers running 5×5 (10 points) and larger. In New Zealand they are closely related to the Red Stag, and the best elk trophies often exceed fifty inches in length.
New Zealand Safaris offers clients access to hunt our own elk property, home to some of the most typical Elk bulls in the world — second to none, the quality is exceptional. This large, privately owned estate has outstanding trophy elk, and while on safari you will typically see between 4–10 trophy bulls scoring between 330 and 450+ S.C.I. inches, mainly typical, although occasionally there are some non-typical.
New Zealand Elk (Wapiti)
Elk hunting in New Zealand typically runs from late February through early May. Because the elk rut (bugle) coincides with the Red Stag, fallow buck and sika stag ruts, many clients find it makes a superb addition to their New Zealand hunting safari — a chance to take one of the world’s finest typical bulls alongside other iconic species.
Elk Hunting New Zealand — A Few Things to Know
Your New Zealand hunting guide will give you an indication of what a bull will score, but we stay focused on what the client likes in antlers first — character and class over a number. If a bull goes over that score break, the client is not obliged to pay an upgrade unless previously discussed. It is about the hunt and what our client likes, over score.
From there we plan our approach to get into a suitable range between 80 and 250 yards, taking time to make the shot. Bow hunting these bulls will get your heart pumping, with average shots at approximately 40 yards where we can use cover, calling and blinds to get in close. Non-hunters are encouraged to take part in the hunt and capture some amazing photos of your New Zealand safari.