Red deer first introduced from Scotland in 1851, increased in numbers in the wild destroying native bush and over grazing the high country. Declared a noxious pest they were first hunted by government cullers until the export of venison made the hunting of live deer by helicopter profitable. The "Roar" or rutting season starts with the first frosts in April. You will hear the stags bellowing as they fight for their harem of hinds. Fawns are born in the late spring. In September the stags cast their antlers and begin their annual regrowth of new ones. In Feb/March the stags "strip" the velvet to expose hard antler. Typically, yearlings (spikers) have only 2 single tines, 2 year olds have 10 points, 3 year olds and older have between 12-20 points.

Hunting video:

Hunting fever in New Zealand from Hunters video

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