NZ Hunting

Starting in the 1930s New Zealand took an innovative step with what was perceived as a serious conservation menace, and placed hunters in the New Zealand back country to redue the number of deer. So began the profession of deer cullers - unique in the world, one of hardship and adventure. Later authors like Barry Crump were to glorify the job, and separating fact from fiction proved difficult for many a reader. Here at last is an autentic work about the origins and methods of deer culling in New Zealand, written with the help of ex... read more

Clive McKenney has a passion for pig hunting. 34 stories of pig hunting adventure based on the personal experiences of the author. Good hunts, great hunts and tragic hunts, all are the lot of this dedicated pig hunter. Superbly illustrated with colour photographs by the author and his partner Sheryl (a talented professional photographer). From the dense bush of Central North Island to the wide open spaces of the South Island, the author has been chasing pigs with a dedication and success that few can equal.

Gone Hunting! is a rich, rollicking and wide-ranging collection of 20 Kiwi hunting yarns telling of trophies won or missed, companions made, hunting techniques used, land explored, and times both tough and good. Above all, the stories tell of the pure enjoyment of being in New Zealand's wild places, exploring unchartered ground, seeing new sights and pitting one's skills against a wily, wary opponent - and not always winning.

Hunting Adventures is Greig Caigou's very readable and vicariously enjoyable collection of one man's back-country adventures in the New Zealand bush and high country.

The words "Trifullarious von repens, drum ditty dum" were immortalised in Ron Helmer's book Stag Party, spoken by the slightly hung-over Snow (aka Colin Jones). This is his story! In an age when young men took to the hills to protect New Zealand's bush from the ravages of deer and pigs (which the wisdom of the day had made responsible for all the ills that beset New Zealand), deer cullers were the nation's saviours. Men such as Barry Crump, Mike Bennett, Alan Farmer and all the others that have put pen to paper over the years to re... read more

Graeme Marshall has always loved to write. This, his tenth book, is devoted to his passion for hunting. He wrote his first magazine article for fledgling Rod and Rifle in 1981 and has contributed to every issue bar one since then. Whilst most of his books have revolved around trout fishing this is his fourth hunting book, including the most recent, Aerial Hunter, The Dick Deaker Story. Now in his early 60's the author still hunts quite frequently and at the time of going to print was planning yet another minor expedition. Now based... read more

In his second collection of hunting adventures, Greig Caigou unpacks the classic and memorable elements of New Zealand hunts, blending his own inspiring stories with those of other keen hunters. These adventures span both gender and a range of ages and capture the essence of special regions and memorable hunts throughout New Zealand. Wild Fiordland, the intimidating landscape of South Westland, the stark Canterbury Alps and the beautiful high basins at the top of the South Island all have hunting stories to share. From the... read more

Kim Swan not only hunts pigs she also has a rare gift which allows her to write about pig hunting with an enthusiasm and insight few can match. This book is a welcome arrival, as Kim Swan author of five previous books on the New Zealand Outdoors, brings together thirty new pig hunting stories. Ranging the length of New Zealand and covering the spectrum of pig hunting - from triumph to tragedy.

Moose are still out there. Originally released into Fiordland in 1910, Moose were thought to have become extinct several times. Ken Tustin has been fascinated with the "Fiordland Moose" since first hearing about them while working as a biologist for Forest Research NZFS, over forty years ago. His first book Wild Moose Chase published by Wild South Books in 1998, sold over 6000 copies. The book described the search to confirm existence of Moose in Fiordland. Since that book was published people have been coming forward with new and ... read more

A the age of 16, Dean Taylor was invited to go on his first hunting party to Stewart Island. It was a trip that immediately captivated him with the rugged beauty of the island, and the thrill of the hunt of deer in such a remote part of the world. Since then he's been back to the island another 21 times. Over the years, Dean gets together a regular hunting party, a group of men who enjoy the chase, the scenery and more than a few beers. The tales are told with humour and capture the comraderie and the isolation that is experien... read more

Author Graham May was never a deer culler, never a contract meat shooter and never part of the venison recovery industry. He is and has always been a true sport hunter, hunting for the love of the sport. Now retired, he looks back over a lifetime of hunting adventures.

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Thousands of New Zealanders have hunted in the past and continue to hunt today. New Zealanders like to think of themselves as a nation of 'can-do' people. The national legend is popularised by physically capable, self-reliant men and women. That legend used to be based on pioneers and farmers and has now come to encompass our identity as outdoor adventurers and conservationists. Hunters belong in this national story as well. Hunting was essential to successful colonisation. It touched the core need to eat and the human desire to sh... read more

An epic work of outdoors adventure, humour and recorded history from the days when deer cullers were bounty hunters, shooting for reward. The Forest Service was still pushing in back country huts to cater for them. It was a time when every man was his own boss!

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Dave Ratcliffe lived and worked through changing times. The transformation of the the venison industry when foot hunters were replaced by helicopters, and the timber industry as native logging ended."I had lived, hunted, eaten and drunk with some of the best there were. The skills and professionalism of those operators in this (venison recovery) business would never be beaten. Some were fearless, but none were heartless, and all of them possessed an adventurous spirit. They knew how to play hard and they knew how to drink hard, but... read more

A collection of hunting anecdotes set in the Otago area of New Zealand.

The second book in the continuing saga of Colin Jones. With the culling days over and young bride and children to feed, Colin had to turn his hand to other ways of earning a living. A job as a car salesman lasted for most of a morning, before Colin realised that it was not for him. Shooting deer for meat provided some income, but things really took off when live deer were suddenly worth $3000 each. Armed with some flash pakeha technology Jonesy took to the bush to capture them alive.

'Big Al' Lester once again relays uproarious tales of hunting and gaming in the New Zealand wilderness. The familiar but refreshing tales of life spent in the country with good friends are both accessible and rollicking, including such antics as an unfortunate experience with a Japanese traveller, jet boating, near-broken bones, a helicopter crash, and the 'Bullshitter's Ball'! Fun cartoons throughout complement the writing style perfectly.

Lilybank Safari Lodge was a trail breaking business established to provide hunting opportunity for visiting hunters. Gary Joll (with his business partners) purchased Lilybank Station and the pastoral lease that went with it, with government approval, to operate a hunting business. Almost before the ink was dry some sections of the government had changed their mind and tried to stop Gary in his attempts to set up a tourist hunting business, which at its peak generated millions of dollars in overseas earning for New Zealand. As a pio... read more