New Zealand in May

[RatRodMike]

Okay, my dreams have finally come true.  I’m heading to New Zealand for a DIY hunt in May.  I’m taking the family but I’ll be the only one hunting.  Just a boy and his gun.

I’m hoping to get some advice about bringing back capes, horn and antlers on the airlines.  I’ve read a lot and have some ideas but I’m always looking for more information.  Anyone have DIY experience with bringing back their trophies?

[redi]

No experience Here  but I want to go also. What outfitter Are you going with? Best of luck

[RatRodMike]

I'm not using an outfitter.  Just getting on a plane with my Winchester and heading to the land down under the land down under.
The hunting permit is free and takes only a couple of minutes to get.  The firearm permit is more involved but only costs $25NZ.

[HillHound]

Not from there, but flying our moose antlers and meat back from Alaska was way cheaper being a “known shipper”. Rates per lb were way less and was the only way to get anything in the cold holding on the plane. Hopefully someone has done this hunt down there and can chime in. Sounds like a blast! Good luck

[RatRodMike]

Thanks man.  I appreciate the info.  I'll check to see if there's any differences in shipping from NZ.

[30.06]

I have heard from guys that tuna fish on long range boats outta San Diego about "registering as a known shipper" to fly their fish home cheap as possible.
 The airline shipping office Not being open on Labor Day surprised some people, disrupted plans, and added expense. JIC you might be traveling back on Memorial day.

Have a blast with the Winchester, definitely have NZ on my own dream list for a one-time fishing and hunting trip. Heard nothing but great things about the game laws, hunt opportunities, smart trout, fun people, and adventures to be had. A buddy worked at McMurdo and they always got to go to the South Island to warm up and unwind.

[Smokeploe]

The wife and I were down there a couple of years ago, on a tour the bunch of us booked.  I talked to the bus driver, who is also a hunter,  he told me that the best way to hunt down there if you don’t have local connections is to get with a guide.  The locals have everything locked up and tight.  Yes you can go into the back country, but the RED STAGS threat are the big boys are not native.  Yes there are a few that have escaped and made it to the  wilds.  There are no native deer to New Zealand, only what has been imported in.  Start checking for hunts in preserves, many thousands of acres, they have guided and self guided hunts.  I don’t know the costs but time verses cost in knowing that there are animals there?  On the South Island where all the hunting is done we saw hundreds of stags with racks that are massive!  The lower half of the South Island as the driver told me is the best area to get a good trophy!   Also little info,  stop at a local das station and get some of the hand pies!  They are drool worthy!  We started our tour in Queenstown.  There are massive Stag farms about 1 hour south! 

Good luck and enjoy your trip
Smokeploe

[Wanttohuntmore]

Good luck,  this sounds fun!  I'd do some fly fishing for trout too!  I can easily see myself hanging out there for a month or two.  Regarding shipping call a small logistics company to get some quotes before your trip.

[Skillet]

I'm a known shipper on AK Air, have been for a long time.  While I know the intentions are good, there's some incorrect info reported here. Also, it's a hassle (and relatively expensive) to get signed up for a single shipment. 

If it were me doing this trip,  I'd go with a commercial shipper.   One of the best I've used is Alaska Air Forwarding out of Tukwila, they have an international division.

https://www.worldcargosvc.com/

Nothing besides checking it as luggage is going to be cheap, though. Best get your mind around that from the outset.

Good luck on your hunt-

[RatRodMike]

Good luck,  this sounds fun!  I'd do some fly fishing for trout too!  I can easily see myself hanging out there for a month or two.  Regarding shipping call a small logistics company to get some quotes before your trip.

A flyfishing friend of mine got stuck down there during Covid.  He didn't suffer too bad..

[RatRodMike]

I'm a known shipper on AK Air, have been for a long time.  While I know the intentions are good, there's some incorrect info reported here. Also, it's a hassle (and relatively expensive) to get signed up for a single shipment. 

If it were me doing this trip,  I'd go with a commercial shipper.   One of the best I've used is Alaska Air Forwarding out of Tukwila, they have an international division.

https://www.worldcargosvc.com/

Nothing besides checking it as luggage is going to be cheap, though. Best get your mind around that from the outset.

Good luck on your hunt-

My family is going with me so I'll have a lot of checked bag capacity I think.

[Torrent50]

I went thru a shipping company.  I was told that everything coming in now has to clear USDA, Customs, and WDFW.  If USDA flags it then it can only be released to a USDA approved taxidermist.  There are only 3 of them in WA.  I had it arranged to use Trapline Taxidermy for this, but lucked out and didn't get mine flagged.