Hunting Packages and Prices 2024-2025 Seasons

We are New Zealand’s number one free range hunting outfitter with a number of exclusive hunting areas and private leases, we offer hunting on both private and public lands. FREE RANGE to us means FREE RANGE, no fences, no grey areas, NO misinformation. We also offer Private Game Estate options for the hunter who seeks a trophy that is ‘next level.’

Hunting Packages

Lake Hawea Hunting Safaris is dedicated to providing hunting packages of the highest standard, ‘quality trophies and quality experiences’ is what we are about. Chris McCarthy is an experienced outfitter and guide and is held in extremely high regard in hunting circles. Chris is currently the Vice President of the New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides Association (NZPHGA) and donates considerable time to the growth and betterment of the guided hunting industry in New Zealand.

With an experienced outfitter, spectacular hunting grounds, comfortable accommodation, multiple game species and different hunting options, Lake Hawea Hunting Safaris will build a hunting package that suits you!

Unrivalled number of repeat hunters

We are very proud of our high repeat hunter rate, with over 50% of our clientele made up of repeat hunters each season.

Pictured is outfitter Chris McCarthy (left) and hunter Gary Innis, Gary has made the trip to New Zealand 9 times to hunt with Lake Hawea Hunting Safaris. Gary has a small addiction hunting free-range Otago red stags.

Included in all Hunting Packages and Prices

Comfortable lodge accommodation on pick up day and the night of the last hunting day, on all hunts. Accommodation then varies from the lodge, to cabins and tent camps depending on the type of hunt booked. Generally estate hunts are run from the lodge and free range hunts are run from cabin and tent accommodation, however we can run free range hunts from the lodge.

• 4×4 access on private land hunts, helicopter access on wilderness hunts.
• Airport pick up and return ex Queenstown, South Island, NZ.
• All meals & accommodations, beer and wine.
• Sight in session at our lodge on pick up day.
• A copy of photos and video footage.
• Professional kiwi guide – genuine kiwi hospitality.
• Caping and care of trophies. (Dip and pack fees are additional)
• Rifle Hire Available $250 hunt duration.

Free Range Otago Red Stag:

An exceptional 5 day hunt for a wild Otago Red Stag, over 45,000 acres of mountainous private land hunting on an exclusive private lease for legendary Otago stags.

These wild Otago stags are scored on the Douglas Score, which is New Zealand’s national scoring system for wild trophies as Boone and Crockett is in the USA. The main difference between the two systems is that the Douglas Score also counts a spread measurement. Record book minimum is 300, we consistently take 9-10 incredible WILD trophies each season from around 300 to 350 class. We can also score Otago stags with the SCI score.

This hunt for an Otago red stag of 300 – 350 class is the equivalent of a free range Elk hunt for a 400+ bull on private land in the USA. Tags are LIMITED to 10 Otago red stags per season, this ensures we have AT LEAST 25 mature stags roaming our free range area at the start of each season.

The Governor’s tag.

• A special license to hunt a very special Otago stag with Chris as your personal guide. We offer only 1 Governor’s tag each season. By spending a huge amount of time in the field and careful observation we have identified a handful of simply mind blowing Otago stags. The Governor’s tag will directly target these stags. price POA.  Ask Chris for the info pack on this unique opportunity.
• 1 stag available on our Governors tag  per season

First Class Otago Red Stag.

• 300 class 12 – 18 points $17500
• 320 + (POA)
• 5 day hunt 1×1, 6 day hunt 2×1
• Additional days 1×1 $700 2×1 $500pp
• Additional first class stags $14000 (rare – dependent on tags remaining)

Second Class Otago Red Stag.

• 10 – 16 points $11500
• 5 day hunt 1×1, 6 day hunt 2×1
• Additional days 1×1 $700 2×1 $500pp
• Additional Second Class Stag $8000
• Management stags priced at guides discretion
• Upgrade to NQF stag (Not Quite First Class) + $3000

Second class stags generally missing bey / bez tines / G 2 tine (not common) or top points that are not typically set up, or both of these traits. These are generally still big framed stags that may surpass 40 inches in length, these stags are Second Class because they are not the ideal breeding stags we wish to have in our area.

Free range Tahr, Fallow buck, Chamois & wild Goat can be added to this hunt. Pigs can be shot if opportunity arises for no additional cost.

Ask for further info about First-Class, Second-Class and NQF free-range Otago red stags. This is undoubtedly New Zealand’s ultimate free range hunt for a wild red stag. Visit our free range Otago Red Stag page

7 Day Free-Range Otago Red Stag + Tahr + Fallow

• 1×1 $29250, 2×1 26500
• Absolute prime rutting dates (mid April – early May) for 3 species
• Ultimate free range hunt on our exclusive private property
• First or Second-class free-range Otago Red Stag
• # Reduced by $6000 if hunting second class stag
• Cabin accommodation
• Incredible hunting opportunities within our free-range 86,000-acre area
• Chamois can be added as a 4th species for + $7500 includes 3 additional days.

Wilderness hunts for Tahr and Chamois (on our public land concession).

Helicopter access included in wilderness rates, tented camp while hunting.

Tahr and Chamois package hunt 1×1, 7 day hunt, $16,500.

Tahr and Chamois package hunt 2×1, 8 day hunt, $12500 pp.

Tahr or Chamois hunt – 1×1, 5 day hunt $9750, 2×1, 6 day hunt $7500 pp.

Additional Tahr or Chamois can be added to any package above POA.

South Island Slam 9 Species Hunt

Red stag (up to 370), Tahr & Chamois (helicopter support), Fallow, Elk (up to 400), Whitetail, Goat, Ram, Boar.

12 hunting days, additional days and upgrades available, we can tailor this hunt to suit you from. POA.

Add North Island Species: Sika, Sambar, Rusa to create a 12 species New Zealand Slam. POA.

Helicopter Support Hunts

Wilderness hunting with full time helicopter support

Hunt tahr and chamois daily from our lodge.

• Himalayan Tahr $7500
• Alpine Chamois $6800

Rates include 1hrs flying time, additional flying time $1,950 per hour.

Photography and videography

Consider the services of Professional photographer and Videographer Steve Couper. Steve has been our professional of choice since 2017 and fits in extremely well with our hunt team and clients. Steve will forever capture your New Zealand experience. Check out Steve here  Steve Couper Videography

Further Exploring

It just so happens that one of our clients runs a custom touring operation, George has an extensive knowledge of New Zealand’s South Island, he’s also a well-travelled international hunter. Too many of our clients forget that New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries on earth, you will see and experience breath taking surrounds on your hunt but there is always more to see and do. Consider George’s services for exploring New Zealand. Check out Off Trail Tours here Off Trail Tours

Make An Enquiry:

Deposit Policy

A deposit of 50% is required to book one of our hunting packages, deposits are non refundable.

Not included

• Personal, property, travel insurance.
• Compensation for hunting time lost due to bad weather.
• Preparation of trophies for export, export documents, plywood crate, freighting of trophies, (Ask for this information).
• Rifle hire $250 hunt duration.
• Prices are subject to change.