Hosted on approved ground
Red stag Hunting in New Zealand
A hosted red stag hunt in New Zealand runs $8,500-$12,000 all-in for a typical 4-7 day hosted hunt taking a representative-to-good stag (up to ~360 SCI). Higher-scoring gold/super-gold stags push $14,000-$19,000+ all-in over 4–7 days (4d/3n entry packages up to 6–7 days; ~2 full + 2 part hunt days on a short package), best hunted mar 20–apr 20 with a 95–100% success rate. Free-range alpine and estate hunting across both islands. A Huntica host is on the ground for every day of it.
Daily rate
$300-$550/day (peak Roar 1x1 ~$550; off-peak/2x1 $300-$450). Observer/non-hunter $290-$650/day
Trophy fee
$3,000-$7,500 for a representative 'bronze-to-silver' stag (up to ~375 SCI); entry bronze up to 325 SCI runs $3,000-$4,500. Gold 400-425 SCI ~$9,500, and pricing scales to $17,000+ for 475-500 SCI
All-in (typical)
$8,500-$12,000 all-in for a typical 4-7 day hosted hunt taking a representative-to-good stag (up to ~360 SCI). Higher-scoring gold/super-gold stags push $14,000-$19,000+
Mountain Hunters 2026/27 packages page (peak Roar 1x1 $550/day, 2x1 $450/day; Feb/May-Jul $400 & $300/day; trophy fees Bronze up to 325" $4,500, Silver 350-375" $6,500, Gold 400-425" $9,500); Four Seasons Safaris NZ 2026 cost article (4-day packages from ~$7,500 up to $15,500, est. total $9,000-$19,000+, non-hunter $290-650/day); BookYourHunt Canterbury free-range 1x1 listing ($8,750 / 5 days, gun rental $150); Steve's Outdoor Adventures (5d/4n from $7,500 to 360 SCI, $9,000 for 360-400, $13,000 for 400-440);…
Best months
Mar 20–Apr 20
Typical length
4–7 days (4d/3n entry packages up to 6–7 days; ~2 full + 2 part hunt days on a short package)
Success rate
95–100%
What’s included
- ✓Professional guiding (PH) 1x1 or 2x1
- ✓Lodge/homestead accommodation
- ✓All meals, snacks, soft drinks (often open bar)
- ✓Quality rifle and ammunition use (or low gun-rental ~$150)
- ✓Local transfers / airport pickup
- ✓Field trophy preparation and measurement
- ✓Trophy fee for the booked SCI class (in all-inclusive packages)
Usually separate
- —International airfare ($1,000-$2,500 roundtrip)
- —Trophy dip, pack, shipping and taxidermy
- —Travel/medical insurance
- —Gratuities
- —Alcoholic drinks (where not open-bar)
- —Visitor firearms licence (NZ$25) and visa/NZeTA fees
- —Helicopter access for add-on alpine species ($1,400+/hr)
Permits, trophies & logistics
- Red deer (Cervus elaphus) is NOT CITES-listed — no CITES permit needed for export or for US/EU import; only the nominate red deer, not the Appendix-listed Bactrian/Yarkand subspecies
- US import: red deer is a non-protected species — no USFWS 3-200-20 permit required; finished taxidermy trophies declared to CBP, raw/unfinished hides/antlers go through USDA/APHIS sanitary clearance
- EU import: red deer trophies are non-CITES; standard veterinary/sanitary (TRACES) entry documentation applies to raw trophies, finished mounts are simpler
- Firearm temp-import: visitors need a NZ Visitor Firearms Licence (NZ$25, non-refundable) PLUS a Police import permit — apply at least 4 months before arrival (high volumes; under 4 weeks not guaranteed); declare to NZ Customs and meet Police at arrivals for serial check
- Hunting licence: NZ$25-$100; no closed season on red deer in NZ, but estate access during the Roar is often block-balloted
Red stag in New Zealand, at a glance
- ◈The New Zealand red stag rut (the 'Roar') peaks roughly March 20 to April 20, and is the single best window to hunt — it books out earliest (BookYourHunt Canterbury listing; multiple outfitters).
- ◈A New Zealand Visitor Firearms Licence costs NZ$25 and is non-refundable; you must also hold a Police import permit, and the authority advises applying at least 4 months before arrival (Firearms Safety Authority NZ, 2026).
- ◈Peak-Roar guiding runs about US$550/day 1x1 and US$450/day 2x1; off-peak (Feb, May-Jul) drops to US$400 and US$300/day respectively (Mountain Hunters 2026/27).
- ◈Estate trophy fees scale by SCI score: ~US$3,000-$4,500 for a bronze stag up to 325", US$6,500 silver (350-375"), US$9,500 gold (400-425"), rising past US$17,000 for 475-500" (Mountain Hunters 2026/27).
- ◈Red deer (Cervus elaphus) is not listed on CITES Appendix I or II, so no CITES permit is required to export from NZ or import a trophy into the US or EU (USFWS; trophy-import guidance).
- ◈A guided 4-7 day hosted red stag hunt taking a representative-to-good stag typically runs US$8,500-$12,000 all-in excluding international flights (Four Seasons Safaris NZ 2026; Steve's Outdoor Adventures; AmpleHunting).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a red stag hunt in New Zealand cost?
A hosted red stag hunt in New Zealand typically runs $8,500-$12,000 all-in for a typical 4-7 day hosted hunt taking a representative-to-good stag (up to ~360 SCI). Higher-scoring gold/super-gold stags push $14,000-$19,000+ all-in for a 4–7 days (4d/3n entry packages up to 6–7 days; ~2 full + 2 part hunt days on a short package) hunt — daily rates of $300-$550/day (peak Roar 1x1 ~$550; off-peak/2x1 $300-$450). Observer/non-hunter $290-$650/day plus a $3,000-$7,500 for a representative 'bronze-to-silver' stag (up to ~375 SCI); entry bronze up to 325 SCI runs $3,000-$4,500. Gold 400-425 SCI ~$9,500, and pricing scales to $17,000+ for 475-500 SCI trophy fee, with a Huntica host present throughout. Mountain Hunters 2026/27 packages page (peak Roar 1x1 $550/day, 2x1 $450/day; Feb/May-Jul $400 & $300/day; trophy fees Bronze up to 325" $4,500, Silver 350-375" $6,500, Gold 400-425" $9,500); Four Seasons Safaris NZ 2026 cost article (4-day packages from ~$7,500 up to $15,500, est. total $9,000-$19,000+, non-hunter $290-650/day); BookYourHunt Canterbury free-range 1x1 listing ($8,750 / 5 days, gun rental $150); Steve's Outdoor Adventures (5d/4n from $7,500 to 360 SCI, $9,000 for 360-400, $13,000 for 400-440);…
When is the best time to hunt red stag in New Zealand?
Mar 20–Apr 20 (the "Roar"/rut — stags roaring and most active; books out earliest). Wider season Feb–Sep; Feb and May–Jul are cheaper but quieter hunting. A typical hunt runs 4–7 days (4d/3n entry packages up to 6–7 days; ~2 full + 2 part hunt days on a short package).
What is the success rate on a red stag hunt?
95–100% on managed estate ground; near-100% opportunity at a mature stag is standard. Basis: Manuka Point Lodge reports 100% on booked trophies; multiple outfitters cite lifetime success >95%. Genuine free-range hunts run lower and yield smaller stags (250–300 SCI).
What is included in a hosted red stag hunt?
Typically included: Professional guiding (PH) 1x1 or 2x1, Lodge/homestead accommodation, All meals, snacks, soft drinks (often open bar), Quality rifle and ammunition use (or low gun-rental ~$150), Local transfers / airport pickup, Field trophy preparation and measurement, Trophy fee for the booked SCI class (in all-inclusive packages). Usually excluded: International airfare ($1,000-$2,500 roundtrip), Trophy dip, pack, shipping and taxidermy, Travel/medical insurance, Gratuities, Alcoholic drinks (where not open-bar), Visitor firearms licence (NZ$25) and visa/NZeTA fees, Helicopter access for add-on alpine species ($1,400+/hr).
What regulations apply to a red stag hunt and trophy?
Red deer (Cervus elaphus) is NOT CITES-listed — no CITES permit needed for export or for US/EU import; only the nominate red deer, not the Appendix-listed Bactrian/Yarkand subspecies US import: red deer is a non-protected species — no USFWS 3-200-20 permit required; finished taxidermy trophies declared to CBP, raw/unfinished hides/antlers go through USDA/APHIS sanitary clearance EU import: red deer trophies are non-CITES; standard veterinary/sanitary (TRACES) entry documentation applies to raw trophies, finished mounts are simpler Firearm temp-import: visitors need a NZ Visitor Firearms Licence (NZ$25, non-refundable) PLUS a Police import permit — apply at least 4 months before arrival (high volumes; under 4 weeks not guaranteed); declare to NZ Customs and meet Police at arrivals for serial check Hunting licence: NZ$25-$100; no closed season on red deer in NZ, but estate access during the Roar is often block-balloted
More on red stag hunting — also hunted in Argentina, Spain. How hunting costs work.
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