NZ Hunter

New Zealand’s premier hunting and outdoor magazine . For everything hunting - adventures, tips, how-tos, and reviews of the latest products. A great read with something for everyone.

NZ Hunter

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

AUSTRIA TO NEW ZEALAND • This story begins back in 2015 when I was doing the traditional Kiwi OE, and living in London for two years

A LONG ROAD TO RUSA • EXPLORING NEW COUNTRY HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST DRAWCARDS TO HUNTING FOR ME. MOST HUNTERS WILL KNOW THE FEELING - POPPING OUT ON A RIDGE AND LOOKING INTO SOMEWHERE YOU’VE NEVER SET FOOT IN, OR ROUNDING A BEND IN A RIVER AND WONDERING WHAT MIGHT BE JUST OUT OF SIGHT

The gun you could load on Sunday AND SHOOT ALL WEEK • The title comes from a newspaper article written during the American Civil War, and describes when the first lever action was used on the battlefield by Union soldiers

STEWART ISLAND SERIES HAPUATUNA • A STAG DO IS AN EXCUSE TO BRING YOUR CLOSEST MATES TOGETHER FOR A NIGHT OF EMBARRASSMENT, DECISIONS DECISIONS AND MEMORABLE MOMENTS

SOMETHING OF VALUE • Hunting groups across New Zealand are stronger today than they have been for a century

RECOVERY • On a warm March evening, I found myself standing over a Fallow doe. A wide trail of crimson blood had led me right to her

THE WILD EDGE #3 THERE’S MORE TO RESILIENCE THAN “BOUNCING BACK” • RESILIENCE. IF YOU’RE ANYTHING LIKE ME, YOU’RE PROBABLY A BIT TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT IT. IT’S A WORD THAT GETS THROWN AROUND A LOT – IN WORKPLACES, NATURAL DISASTERS, ECONOMIC CRISES, MENTAL HEALTH MESSAGING, AND CORPORATE WELLNESS PROGRAMMES.

WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE HUNTING 4×4? Part 2 - Which Ute • Dead things, smelly things, dirty things, diesel cans, fish frames, paint buckets – the list of things I don’t want in the cab with me is endless

SPARTAN RIFLE PRECISION EQUIPMENT BUILDS • This rifle was my very first centrefire. I grew up in the UK where firearms laws are very different to New Zealand

Night Hunting The “do’s and don’ts” • Done legally and responsibly, night hunting is a legitimate and effective way to harvest game animals on private land

Nathan Fa ’avae ATHLETE TO HUNTER • A couple of years ago, a friend mentioned in passing that Nathan Fa’avae had started heading into the hills with a rifle. My ears pricked up immediately

GAME ANIMALS OF NEW ZEALAND MOOSE

GAME ANIMAL COUNCIL NEWS

MUNGO HUT • As winter approaches it’s worth thinking about some nice places to hang your Swandri, stoke up the fire, and get a brew going

THE CURSE BREAKER • 2025 just wasn't our year for boars, or it certainly felt that way to begin with

LA SPORTIVA AEQUILIBRIUM ST GTX • La Sportiva is a technical mountain apparel company founded in 1928, and is still produced in the Italian Dolomites

SEA TO SUMMIT SLEEP SYSTEM • Sea To Summit is one of the better things to come from our trans-Tasman brethren

ALASKAN TRIO • WALKING UP TO PUT MY HANDS ON A GIANT ALASKAN BULL MOOSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ULTIMATE DREAM, AS I THINK IT IS THE TOP-TIER ANIMAL IN NORTH AMERICAN HUNTING

WHAT'S NEW: JUN JUL

WILD PORK LOIN • Encased with a savoury farce of pistachio and prune, served with pickled cabbage and fig mostarda