Chamois hunting with Venator can vary depending on what type of chamois experience you are looking for. To request our current rates, click the link here.
New Zealand's waterfowl game hunting year traditionally begins on the first Saturday in May (May 2 in 2026) and usually lasts through June or July. Within the Otago Fish & Game territory, schedules vary by species. Waterfowl hunting opens on May 2 and concludes in late July, while the season for upland game birds stays open through August.
Hunting is solid February through August. Pre-roar (early season) is great for thicker cover; the roar peaks late March through late April; May onward pairs well with winter-coat tahr/chamois.
Venator has produced multiple world-record red stags in New Zealand, holding the #1 rank across four separate disciplines according to Safari Club International (SCI) scoring:
You can shoot many different species of birds in New Zealand, including paradise ducks, black swans, mallards, grey and shoveler ducks, and Canada geese.
Yes, Arapawa ram hunting in New Zealand is a fantastic addition for anyone looking to extend their hunt with a unique challenge, as well as a great option for first-time or younger hunters.
Yes. Alpine chamois hunting is great for non-hunting guests. The high altitude provides spectacular scenery and views of the southern alps.
Our experienced guides field-judge carefully. You can upgrade in the field if you choose to take a larger class than booked.
Safari Club International book of records:
Wapiti typical category lists a 472 2/8” bull as world record, which was hunted here with us.
Wapiti non-typical category lists a 591 5/8” bull as world record.
Rocky Mountain Elk is the largest big-game species in New Zealand. Mature bulls often range 300–500+ sci.
While both female and male chamois have black horns, male chamois horns tend to be heavier with a more pronounced hook.
We strongly recommend it. Chamois inhabit steep, high-altitude terrain, making foot hunts exceptionally strenuous. Utilizing a helicopter gives you direct, efficient access to the alpine tops so you can maximize your hunting time.
The main season runs from late February through August, featuring the peak roar from late March to late April.
Venator offers premier red stag hunts on exclusive private preserves in Wānaka, New Zealand, and Southeast Oklahoma.
Our luxury hunting experiences start from USD $18,000 for a 4-day, 500 SCI red stag hunt and USD $30,500 for a 6-day, 500 SCI red stag and multi-species hunt. We specialise in tailoring each hunt to suit the individual needs and tastes of our hunters, so these red stag hunting packages are simply a starting point for shaping your ideal experience. Talk to one of our experienced hunting consultants and begin building your customised itinerary.
Yes, New Zealand is home to elk, which are locally referred to as Wapiti. Venator offers world class New Zealand trophy elk hunting in the South Island of New Zealand.
Elk hunting in New Zealand runs from late February through early May, aligning perfectly with the peak roar of our Red Stags and Fallow deer. Incorporating a world-class nz elk into your custom hunting itinerary delivers an unrivaled multi-species safari in the heart of the South Island.
Yes. Fallow deer meat is widely considered some of the best-tasting and most tender venison available, often earning the title of the "King of Venison".
The premier destination for fallow deer hunting in New Zealand is the Central Otago and Lake Wānaka / Hāwea Basin. This region supports high-density wild fallow herds framed by iconic high-country tussock and native bush. Venator offers guided hunts across exclusive private land in this territory, specialising in red stag and trophy fallow buck stalks during the mid-April to May rut.
No. Tahr are not native to New Zealand. They originate from the high-altitude central Himalayan ranges.
A Himalayan tahr is often called a tahr, tar or thar. An adult male is known as a bull tahr, but they are all the exact same animal.
A trophy tahr is defined by a lion-like flaxen mane, sweeping flared horns, and exceptional alpine agility.
Chamois can be hunted year-round in New Zealand, but the best time of the year depends on the chamois trophy and hunting experience you want:
May – July (The Winter Rut): Peak time for trophy hunters. Chamois feature a thick, dark winter coat and offer a challenging hunt in snow-covered alpine terrain.
Late February – April (Summer/Autumn): Milder weather and lighter, tawny coats. Ideal for glassing ridges and spot-and-stalk hunting during cooler morning and late afternoon hours.
Yes. Goat hunting in New Zealand is an exciting, affordable and fun add-on to any big game hunting trip.
A trophy ram is best recognised by its massive, heavily ridged horns that grow backward before curling downward and flaring outwards in a dramatic, wide-sweeping spiral. Built for rugged terrain, these medium-sized, light-boned animals sport a dense, fine wool fleece ranging in color from deep chocolate brown and reddish-tan to bold piebald patches. Their heads feature a lean, wild profile typically marked by a dark face accented with sharp white badger-like facial stripes, eye patches, or a white topknot, giving them a fierce and unmistakable wilderness appearance.
Arapawa sheep and feral goat hunts offer high engagement and frequent spotting opportunities without the extreme physical demands or long periods of waiting often associated with larger alpine game. Because these animals herd together and occupy more accessible terrain, new hunters can practice essential fieldcraft (such as glassing, stalking, and shot placement) in a setting that builds confidence and delivers a highly rewarding experience.
No, possums are not protected in New Zealand. In fact, possums are classified as a major invasive pest under the Biosecurity Act and it is encouraged for people to hunt possums in New Zealand. Because they destroy native bush, prey on indigenous birds and eggs, and spread bovine tuberculosis to livestock, possums are actively controlled across the country.
The best time to hunt wild pigs in New Zealand is early morning (dawn) and late evening (dusk) during the cooler autumn and winter months (March through August). While wild pigs can be hunted legally year-round with no bag limits, cold and overcast weather keeps pigs active in the open for longer, makes tracking dogs more effective, and forces boars to travel farther for food.
The best time of day to hunt rabbits is during dusk (late afternoon to sunset) and nighttime, as well as early dawn. Rabbits are crepuscular and nocturnal, meaning they stay hidden in warrens, scrub, and blackberry during peak daylight hours and emerge into open paddocks and pastures to feed under cover of darkness.
No, it is an offense in New Zealand to shoot at any bird that is not in flight, unless it is already wounded from a previous shot.
Yes! Our private ranch welcomes both traditional elk rifle hunting enthusiasts and dedicated archery elk hunters throughout our entire season. If your goal is bow hunting bull elk, our terrain and guided setups are tailored specifically for elk bow hunting, giving archers close-range encounters during the peak rut.
Across the United States, the elk season typically runs from late summer through winter, depending on state regulations, weapon type, and public versus private land rules. At Venator’s private Ranch in Oklahoma, our prime guided hunting season for elk operates from September through November, directly aligned with the peak rutting season. During this window, the increased activity and vocalizations of elk create the ideal conditions for hunting.
Although elk belong to the deer family (Cervidae), they are vastly superior in size, with mature elk bulls weighing upwards of 1,000 lbs compared to a 200 lb white-tailed deer and are easily identified by their massive, backward-sweeping antlers, dark shaggy neck manes, and powerful rutting bugles. At Venator’s Ranch in Oklahoma, we host world-class herds of North America’s largest elk and red stags, providing discerning sportsmen with an elite, 5-star guided hunting experience unlike anywhere else in the USA.
Elk are opportunistic herbivores whose natural diet consists primarily of native grasses, legumes, forbs, acorns, and woody browse like aspen and willow.
Mature elk males (bulls) typically weigh between 700 and 1,100+ lbs, while females (cows) average between 500 and 650 lbs. An Elk’s size and body mass varies based on age, diet, subspecies, and season, with bulls reaching peak weight right before the rut.
Yes, Venator proudly holds multiple world records, including the Safari Club International (SCI) World Record typical elk (472 2/8”) and non-typical elk (591 5/8”). At Venator’s Ranch in Oklahoma, we leverage these exact world-record genetic lines to offer hunters an elite big game hunting experience right here in the USA - delivering giant, mature elk bulls with world-class antler scores.
Across the United States, the red stag hunting season typically runs from late summer through early winter, depending on state regulations and whether the hunt takes place on public or private land. At Venator’s private Ranch in Oklahoma, our prime guided hunting season for red stags operates from September through December, directly aligned with the peak rutting season—often referred to as "the roar." During this window, the increased activity and aggressive vocalizations of mature stags create the ideal conditions for an exhilarating red deer stag trophy hunt.
Red stag hunting in the United States can be found on select private ranches across the country, with Venator in Oklahoma standing out as a world-class destination. Venator USA’s hunting ranch in Oklahoma offers exceptional convenience, located just a 2-hour drive from Oklahoma City Airport and only 2 hours and 45 minutes from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), making it easy for people seeking red stag hunting in the state of Texas.
Yes. Venator’s ranches hold multiple SCI top ranks, including the #1 overall SCI world record red stag deer scoring 1,164 2/8". Thanks to our world-class herd management, hunters have regularly taken weapon-specific red stag world record trophies here. Whether you are aiming for an official world record red deer, or seeking a high-quality, thrilling red stag trophy hunting experience, Venator delivers an unforgettable red stag hunting trip.
The best time for Himalayan tahr hunting is during the prime rutting period, which runs between May and July, when their impressive winter coats are at their longest. Our guided expeditions coincide with this exclusive window, offering unparalleled opportunities for world-class trophy New Zealand tahr hunting.