Hunting Packages and Prices 2026-2027 $USD

We are New Zealand’s number one free range hunting outfitter with a number of exclusive hunting areas and private leases holding New Zealand’s finest trophy producing herds of free ranging game. Our red stag area is statistically proven as New Zealand’s number one free range red stag area.

FREE RANGE to us means FREE RANGE, no fences, no grey areas, no misinformation. Game estate options for some of New Zealand’s biggest genetically improved red stags and fallow bucks are also available.

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. With an experienced outfitter, spectacular hunting grounds, luxury lodge accommodation, multiple game species and different hunting options, Lake Hawea Hunting Safaris has got you covered.

How are we different?

Simply, we have outstanding, high quality,  free range hunting options.

Free-range red stag or Estate (high fenced) red stag

Please keep in mind when referring to our hunting packages and options that a traditional free-range red stag and a genetically improved estate red stag almost appear as two different species. Please refer to our Free Range Red Stag or Private Estate Red Stag  page for further info.

Unrivalled number of repeat hunters

We are very proud of our high repeat hunter rate, with many of our clients having made multiple trips to New Zealand to hunt with us, some are even in double figures.

Pictured is outfitter Chris McCarthy (left) and hunter Gary Innis, Gary has made the trip to New Zealand 12 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

Luxury lodge accommodation. Estate hunts are run from our lodge and free range hunts are run from our lodge or comfortable onsite cabin accommodation.

• Airport pick up and return ex Queenstown, South Island, NZ.
• All meals & accommodations, with full bar.
• Five luxury rooms with ensuite bathrooms at our lodge
• Professional kiwi guide (all our guides have international guiding experience).
• Ability to upgrade or add additional animals at short notice.
• Dedicated non-hunter host & guide
• WIFI
• full laundry facilities.
• Shooting range.
• A copy of photographs from your hunt
• Inhouse trophy preparation for shipment
• 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. Seven to 10-day combo rut hunts including an Otago red stag, tahr, fallow & chamois are also available. See the bottom of out home page for further details.

Wild Otago red stags are renowned for their beautifully balanced, eye pleasing antlers. Trophies 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. Record book minimum is 300, we consistently take 9-10 incredible WILD trophies each season from around 300 to 360 class.

This 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 a high number of mature stags roaming our free range area.

First Class Otago Red Stag $25000

• 12 – 20 points, around or over 40 inches in antler length
• 5 day hunt 1×1
• Additional days 1×1 $700/day
• Additional first class stags $21500 (rare – dependent on tags remaining)

Second Class Otago Red Stag $14,500

• 10 – 16 points $14500
• 5 day hunt 1×1
• Additional days 1×1 $700 2×1 $500pp
• Additional Second Class Stag $10000
• Management stags priced at guides discretion
• Upgrade to NQF stag (Not Quite First Class) + $5000

Visit our free range Otago Red Stag page

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

7 Day Free-Range Otago Red Stag + Tahr + Fallow (Chamois available)

• Includes red stag – tahr – fallow with chamois also available
• Are you a free-range purist…? This is the hunt for you our premium free-range combo
• 7-days / 8-nights 1×1 $42,000 (Incl first-class red stag) or $31,000 (incl second-class red stag)
• Incredible hunting opportunities within our premium, exclusive, free-range 50,000-acre area. Spot & stalk hunting, extremely high success
• Chamois can be added as a 4th species on a trophy fee basis of + $8000 (we recommend adding 3 additional days to hunt chamois to make a 10-day hunt)
• Premium cross over rut dates between species where possible, April & May
• Helicopter assistance for tahr and chamois can be arranged, we do encourage our hunters to hunt spot and stalk
• If one of our incredible first-class free-range Otago red stags is not of importance to you it can be swapped out for a red stag of up to 500 class hunted on a 4,000 acre high fenced estate for the same price

South Pacific 8 species package (SCI Continental Award)

Estate Red Stag, Tahr & Chamois (helicopter support), Fallow, Elk, Goat, Ram, Boar. Whitetail can also be added.

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

Golden Malek Award for all South Pacific species

Lake Hawea Hunting Safaris in an accredited Malek Award outfitter, talk to Chris about securing all the South pacific 15 game animals to be eligible for this award.

North Island Species: Sika, Sambar, Rusa are available. Australian animals: Asiatic Buffalo and Banteng also available through our partner outfitters.

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

Helicopter access included, 2 flights (single species) 3 flights (combo Hunt).

Tahr and Chamois package hunt 1×1, 7 day hunt, $25,000.

Tahr and Chamois package hunt 2×1, 8 day hunt, $19,500 pp.

Tahr or Chamois hunt 1×1, 5 day hunt $15000, 2×1, 6 day hunt $11,000pp.

Tented camp while hunting. Additional Tahr / Chamois can be added. POA.

Helicopter Support Hunts

Wilderness hunting with full time helicopter support

Hunt tahr and chamois daily from our lodge.

• Himalayan Tahr $9000
• Alpine Chamois $8000
• Tahr & Chamois combo $16000

Flying time additional.

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

Trout Fishing

Greg Dougherty and Mark Buckingham are personal friends of your outfitter and highly experienced trout fishing guides. Trout fishing can be added to your hunt.

‘If you’re a visitor just planning a short fishing trip anywhere from a few hours to a full day, you can buy a One Day Non-Resident Licence for $37 (Adult), or $22 for a junior or child.’

 Most rivers are open from 1 October through to 31 May, with year-round lake fishing.

Greg Dougherty – Alpine Fishing Guides

Mark Buckingham – Southern Lakes Fishing Safaris 

Lake & Sea fishing by boat

3hr to multi day custom fishing adventures with ‘Catch a Fish’. Expert skipper, brand new boat, stunning locations.

After an unforgettable hunt, why not enjoy a day on the water?
Catch a Fish offers exclusive private fishing charters tailored for
hunters looking to make the most of their time in the South Island

Ollie Garland Catch a Fish Wanaka

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.