Legend

🟢 = peak or optimal period (rut, prime coat, high activity).

🟠 = viable period with good potential.

From roaring stags to elusive chamois, every game species in New Zealand offers a different kind of challenge. Here’s your species-by-species rundown – what they’re like, when they’re most active, and how to time your hunt for the best shot at success.

Red Stag 

New Zealand’s most iconic game animal, the red stag is revered for its thunderous roar and massive antlers. Powerful, territorial, and vocal during the rut, it offers one of the most thrilling and primal hunts in the Southern Hemisphere.

Behaviour & Seasonal Dynamics

From late February, red stags begin stripping velvet and preparing for the rut. As March progresses, testosterone surges, triggering roaring, territorial fights, and active mate-seeking behaviour. This rut — known in NZ as "the roar" — peaks in March–April, when stags are highly vocal and visible. Hunters can call them in or intercept as they patrol harem territories. By May, the roar fades. Younger stags form bachelor groups, moving less frequently and becoming more wary. But the older they get, the more likely they are to wander solo. From mid-August, most stags begin shedding antlers, reducing trophy quality.

Best Time to Hunt

• Peak roar: Mid‑March to late April

• Viable: Late February (pre-rut), May–July (post-rut)

• Avoid: Late August onward (antler drop)

Locations / Habitat

• High country, tussock valleys, bush fringes

• The South Island and central North Island

Permits / Access / Ballots

• DOC permit required for public land

• Roar ballots operate in some areas (e.g. Haast)

• Private land requires owner permission

Fallow Deer 

Fallow deer are elegant and wary, with distinctive palmated antlers and a throaty croak that sounds like a mix between a toad and a dog. Their smaller size and variety of colour phases make them a popular species for both meat and trophy hunters.

Behaviour & Seasonal Dynamics

Fallow bucks enter hard antler by late February and begin establishing territories in March. The rut hits full swing in April, when bucks grunt continuously, challenge each other, and patrol rut pads. They're highly vocal and more exposed during this time. After rutting, bucks become reclusive and regroup, making them harder to find. Outside the rut, movement is more nocturnal, and daylight opportunities drop significantly.

Best Time to Hunt

• Peak: April

• Viable: March–May

• Challenging: June onward (reclusive post-rut behaviour)

Locations / Habitat

• Forest margins, farmland edges, scrub country

• Common in North Island and parts of South Island (Canterbury, Otago, Kaikoura)

Permits / Access / Ballots

• DOC permit required for public land

• Private land access must be arranged

• Less ballot pressure than red deer areas

Sika Deer 

Highly elusive and sharp-eyed, sika deer are prized for their intelligence, ghost-like movement through dense bush, and high-pitched rutting whistles. They're a true challenge to stalk, especially in North Island forests.

Behaviour & Seasonal Dynamics

Sika are secretive, bush-dwelling deer that become most huntable during their rut in April. From late February, stags are hard-antlered and begin showing territorial signs. During the rut, they emit distinctive high-pitched whistles and become more active, but they still prefer dense cover. Post-rut, sika revert to stealthy movement, often bedding in thick bush during daylight and becoming extremely difficult to spot without refined glassing or trail knowledge.

Best Time to Hunt

• Peak: April

• Viable: February–May

• Challenging: June–August (stealth behaviour, thick cover)

Locations / Habitat

• Central North Island: Kaimanawa, Kaweka, Urewera, and Tongariro forests

• Prefer thick native bush, pine forest, and scrub

Permits / Access / Ballots

• DOC hunting permit for public land

• No national ballot system, but some forest blocks require booking

• Private land available via guides or permission

Whitetail Deer 

New Zealand’s smallest deer species, whitetail are known for their secretive nature and lightning-fast reactions. Found mostly on Stewart Island and the lower South Island, they offer a unique and technical still-hunting experience.

Behaviour & Seasonal Dynamics

Whitetail deer are elusive year-round, but rutting behaviour between mid-April and early June makes bucks more mobile and visible. Bucks chase does and patrol during daylight more than usual. Outside of rut, they are primarily nocturnal and favour dense scrub, especially on Stewart Island. Spring brings feeding opportunities as deer emerge to graze new growth. In summer, they disappear deep into the bush, making them difficult to hunt.

Best Time to Hunt

• Peak: Mid-April to early June

• Viable: Spring (September–October)

• Year-round: Legal, but more difficult outside rut

Locations / Habitat

• Stewart Island (main hotspot), lower South Island around Wakatipu and Glenorchy 

• Bush-fringe country, coastal scrub, forest edge

Permits / Access / Ballots

• DOC permits and block bookings required on Stewart Island

• Mainland herds require permission or guiding access

Rusa Deer 

Rusa are a tropical deer species known for their dark coats, distinctive barking calls, and late winter rut. Hunted primarily in the North Island, they present a rare opportunity for hunters seeking something different.

Behaviour & Seasonal Dynamics

Rusa are a tropical deer species that rut later in the year. Stags begin rubbing velvet and establishing dominance by May–June. The rut peaks in July–August when males are vocal, mobile, and actively guarding hinds. Their calls are coarse and unique. After the rut, activity drops off sharply. Outside rut, they remain reclusive and often inhabit tight cover, especially during the heat of the day.

Best Time to Hunt

• Peak: July–August

• Viable: May–August

• Challenging: September onward

Locations / Habitat

• North Island forest zones, especially in warmer regions

• Exotic forests, bush edges, and mixed farmland

Permits / Access / Ballots

• DOC permit for public land

• Private land hunts often guided and pre-booked

Sambar Deer 

Massive, tough, and deeply secretive, sambar deer favour thick, wet forest and move with stealth. Their long rut and heavy antlers make them a bucket-list species for experienced hunters looking for a challenge.

Behaviour & Seasonal Dynamics

Sambar have a long, drawn-out rut that spans from late autumn to spring, peaking July through September. These large-bodied deer are incredibly elusive and prefer dense, wet forest. Even during the rut, they’re difficult to locate, but stags become more vocal and active in overlapping territories. Outside the rut, they're highly solitary, cautious, and tend to move under the cover of darkness.

Best Time to Hunt

• Peak: July–September

• Viable: May–October

• Challenging: Outside winter rut

Locations / Habitat

• North Island — central forests, bush gullies, and foothill forest

• Thrive in thick, damp habitats

Permits / Access / Ballots

• DOC permit for public land

• Private land access limited; some guided packages available

Himalayan Tahr 

A true alpine trophy, Himalayan tahr live on sheer cliffs and windswept ridgelines. Bulls grow thick winter manes and offer a dramatic, high-country hunt often paired with world-class alpine scenery.

Behaviour & Seasonal Dynamics

Tahr can be hunted all year, but the May–June rut is when bulls become active, separating from bachelor groups and chasing females. During this time, their behaviour is more predictable, and they’re found in more accessible terrain. They also grow magnificent winter manes between April and August — a prime window for trophy capes. In summer, their coats change from a dark colour to a light blonde colour, but they’re still equally impressive.

Best Time to Hunt

• Peak: May–July (rut + best coats)

• Viable: Winter coat: April-May. Summer coat: October-March

• Year-round: Legal, but coat quality drops

Locations / Habitat

• South Island alpine zones: Southern Alps, Fiordland, Canterbury, West Coast, Himalayan Tahr Containment Area 

• High ridgelines, scree basins, bluffs

Permits / Access / Ballots

• DOC permit required

• Helicopter restrictions apply in some areas

• Private blocks often run guided hunts

European Chamois 

Chamois are nimble and sharp-eyed alpine goats known for their speed, agility, and majestic winter coats. They’re a favourite among mountain hunters seeking glass-and-stalk challenges in rugged terrain.

Behaviour & Seasonal Dynamics

Chamois, like tahr, can be hunted year-round but are at their best in winter. The rut peaks May–June, when bucks become mobile and challenge one another. They grow rich winter pelts from May through July. In mid-winter, bucks tend to become more curious and more accessible. However, regardless of the season, chamois bucks always require time, effort, and patience to hunt.

Best Time to Hunt

• Peak: May–July

• Viable: April–August

• Off-peak: Huntable all year

Locations / Habitat

• South Island alpine regions

• Steep ridges, craggy faces, scree slopes (any hard to reach places)

Permits / Access / Ballots

• DOC permit required for public land

• Guided hunts available in tahr/chamois combos

• Local rules may apply (e.g. aircraft restrictions)

Game Birds & Waterfowl

From mallards and paradise shelduck to pheasants and quail, New Zealand’s game bird species offer fast-paced, social hunting experiences. Duck shooting season is a national tradition, and the country’s wetlands and farmland provide excellent wingshooting opportunities.

Behaviour & Seasonal Dynamics

The game bird season opens the first Saturday in May and runs through June (sometimes July, depending on region). Opening weekend sees the highest concentrations of birds. Mallards, grey ducks, and shovelers are active at dawn and dusk, moving between roosts and feed sites. Later in the season, birds become call-shy and spread out. Upland game birds like pheasants and quail are most active during late morning and mid-afternoon in open, scrubby terrain.

Best Time to Hunt

• Peak: First 2 weeks of May

• Viable: May–June (some regions to early July)

Locations / Habitat

• Wetlands, ponds, estuaries, and river mouths for ducks

• Hedgerows, farmland, scrub for upland birds

Permits / Access / Ballots

• Fish & Game licence required

• DOC game bird permit for public land

• Ballots for opening weekend in managed wetlands

Non-toxic shot rules apply (lead banned near open water)

Be ready for every season with Bushbuck hunting gear

When is the best time to hunt red stag in New Zealand?

The peak season for red stag is mid-March through April during the “roar,” when stags are highly vocal, territorial, and responsive to calling. This period offers the best chance to harvest mature, hard-antlered stags.

Do I need a permit to hunt in New Zealand?

Yes. A DOC hunting permit is required to hunt on public conservation land. For game birds, you’ll also need a Fish & Game licence, and a DOC game bird permit if hunting birds on public land. Private land requires permission from the landowner or outfitter. Read our full guide to hunting permits and ballots here

Is there a hunting season for deer in NZ?

There is no legal closed season for deer in New Zealand, but antler cycles and rut behaviour dictate when hunting is most productive. Most trophy hunting takes place from February through August, depending on the species.

What’s the duck hunting season in New Zealand?

The waterfowl season begins the first Saturday of May and typically runs through late June or early July, depending on region. Opening weekend is especially popular and may be ballot-only in managed wetlands.

Read our full guide to the duck shooting season

Can I hunt tahr and chamois year-round?

Yes, both species are legal to hunt all year, but the best time for trophy hunts is May through July, when coats are thick and rut behaviour makes bulls and bucks more visible. Some areas restrict helicopter access during certain months.

Are there bag limits for deer or big game?

There are generally no bag limits for big game on public land unless specified by a local management plan. Game birds, however, have strict regional bag limits and ammunition regulations.

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