New Zealand is a hunter’s paradise, home to some of the largest red stags and fallow deer in the world. With its rugged mountains, dense forests, and rolling valleys, the country offers both a breathtaking backdrop and a challenging hunt. This season, I set out to harvest a record-book red stag and a trophy fallow deer—an adventure I would never forget.
The hunt began at dawn in the Southern Alps, where red deer thrive. My guide and I spent hours glassing the ridges, looking for a true monarch. As the sun rose higher, we spotted a massive stag standing on a grassy slope. His antlers were unlike anything I had seen before—wide, heavy, and crowned with multiple tines. He was exactly the kind of stag I had come for.
The stalk was intense. The wind was in our favor, but the terrain was steep and unforgiving. Carefully, I closed the distance to 250 yards, took a deep breath, and steadied my rifle. The stag turned broadside, and I squeezed the trigger. The shot echoed through the valley, and the stag took a few steps before collapsing. As I walked up to him, I was in awe—this was a true record-book animal.
With one tag filled, it was time to find a fallow deer. These deer are smaller than red stags but just as challenging to hunt. We moved to lower elevations, where the thick bush provided perfect cover for these elusive animals. After two days of searching, we finally spotted a massive chocolate-colored fallow buck. His palmated antlers were tall and symmetrical, a true trophy.
I set up for a shot at 200 yards, waiting for the perfect moment. As he turned broadside, I squeezed the trigger, and the buck dropped instantly. Walking up to him, I knew this was another record-worthy harvest. His antlers were thick, wide, and carried incredible mass.
New Zealand had delivered an unforgettable hunt—two world-class animals in one adventure. The stunning landscapes, the challenge of the stalk, and the respect for these incredible animals made this a hunt of a lifetime. As I packed my trophies, I knew I would return one day to chase these legendary game animals once again.
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