Ten point free-range trophies are now very rare, eight points is the norm with an antler length 18-20 inches.

Whitetail do not come into hard antler until late February or early March, they cast again in August. Bucks can be hunted anytime inside these dates. The rut occurs in May and into June.

Free-range whitetail trophies are becoming harder and harder to find. Whitetail are the animal which used to be a real ace card for us at Lake Hawea Hunting Safaris as we used to take more whitetail trophies than any other New Zealand Outfitter. We used to hunt public land, unfortunately things have taken a big turn for the worst for the mainland whitetail, due to no management of game on public land, the whitetail have come under a number of different pressures including, poisoning, over hunting and helicopter hunting.

We do still offer free-range whitetail hunts, there are good numbers of chamois in the area so if you are willing to take on a low percentage hunt for a whitetail buck you will geneally at least take a chamois. If you are looking for that big trophy buck a game estate hunt is the best option.