Lake Hawea Hunting Safaris New Zealand

29/10/2024

https://www.hawea-hunting.co.nz/product/otago-red-stags-book/

By end of this weekend over 300 copies of my book will be sold since March (limited 500 copy print run).
I’m at the Sika Show this weekend selling signed copies, or you can purchase from the link to my website. Attached on a following post are some PDF screen shots of what you can expect inside.

We will send internationally.

Brand new book tipped by critics as being one of the best New Zealand hunting books ever published – An instant collector’s item – an epic story of one mans dogged belief that guided free-range red stag hunts in New Zealand had a real value.Authors: Chris McCarthy and Gary Innis. Design: Danie...

08/10/2024

www.sikashow.co.nz

Looking forward to NZ’s biggest hunting expo 2-3 November at Mystery Creek, Hamilton.

Last year we were there promoting my book ‘Otago Red Stags - Yesterday’s Trophies Today’, which was still in the final stages of editing. Now it’s printed and receiving great reviews, call in at booth #13 and purchase your signed copy.

Get along and support this great New Zealand Hunting Event - The Sika Show, see you there.

The Sika Show is New Zealand’s & Australasia’s largest Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show plus annual Hunting Competition that has been running now for an incredible 31 years!

23/09/2024

It’s been an incredible and rather wet start to spring here, growth is well ahead of last season which means good things for antler development with our free range stags coming out of the winter fat and happy.

Out for a day hunt yesterday you could feel the tucker growing on sheltered north facing slopes.

Here is a set of 2024 antlers from one of our free range Otago red stags known as ‘Brutis’ identified as a 15-point 3 yr old in 2019 he is now a 19-point 8 yr old. (Well he was until he cast this set of antlers last month). He’s a dominant stag who fights hard to protect his harem of around 30 hinds, note that he’s smashed about 5 inches off his right back tine and 2 crown points which grew from this, he’s also chipped his left inner royal.

Pictured is left antler as a 5yr old, 7yr old and 8yr old. These are field judgements, he’s a wild stag, he may be a year older.

His length is consistently between 41-42 inches, he has a big inside span (not correctly shown in one of the photos) and with the outward protrusion of his outer royal tines I’m convinced he’s over 40 inches wide.

Let’s see what you grow this year Brutis.

21/08/2024

Tahr whisperer - having a laugh with a good South Westland bull. Nasty little spot he likes to hide out in…

08/08/2024

Book sales are up! It’s been my best week for book sales ever. They’ve been trickling out the door at 1-5 copies per week since our launch in March, we’ve hit 6 sales this week already.

All copies (limited 500 copy print run) are signed and individually numbered, we’re now shifting copies numbered between 250 and 300. They’re available at this link.

Brand new book tipped by critics as being the best New Zealand hunting book published for 40 years – An instant collector’s item – an epic story of one mans dogged belief that guided free-range red stag hunts in New Zealand had a real value.Authors: Chris McCarthy and Gary Innis. Design: Danie...

30/07/2024

For those of you who follow our free range Otago red stag operation some interesting age statistics from our 2023 season after expert tooth analysis.

Oldest stag taken was 13 yrs
Youngest stag taken was 4 yrs
Average age across 27 stags taken was 7.25 yrs.

First pictured are the 3 oldest stags from 2023 in order of age from 13 -11 - 10yrs, the next 3 stags pictured are all 9yr olds.

What have I learned? Once a stag is 5yrs of age or older there are no hard and fast rules for field judging the age of stags, there are some general guidelines for sure… but every stag is different.

26/07/2024

Full day in the packing shed yesterday, all this seasons client trophies are now crated and ready to head out next week.

Photo: Getting a little air around these full tahr and chamois capes before putting the lid on them.

03/07/2024

Head Guide Ben Alai with a beautiful 16-point free-range Otago red stag from our 2024 season, 37 long by 39 wide, 312 DS after the overspread penalty. One of my picks of the season for sheer eye pleasing quality.

Ben = 'The mailman' he even delivers on Sundays for his clients.

16/06/2024

Meet Cade, aka 'The Sherriff' or 'Chef Cade'.
Cade was also chief of comms for the 2024 season.
Absolutely never a dull moment, great enthusiasm, lots of laughs and a unique ability to capture the room.

Cade stepped into the cooking role as Aaron had to leave mid season. Cooking for up to 12 people each night isn't easy (while also assisting with the hunts all day), Cade nailed it after being thrown in the deep end. he is returning home to pursue a career in finance, having graduated before heading to Lake Hawea Hunting Safaris to help in an assistant guide role for the season.

Thanks mate for all your hard work you were the life of the party and remember... winners find a way!!

Picture = A late breakfast after the morning hunt at free range red stag camp.