NZ Outdoor Magazine

06/01/2025

A cast antler saves the day
By Cam Mckie, Cams food adventure

We had access up a river that headed into the Ruahine but just as we reached the track the wind turned gale-force and whispery showers became persistent throughout the day with horrific conditions. Around midday Bailey was stalking through some thick native when she found a MASSIVE cast antler which is by far the biggest I have ever seen.....

Get yourself a copy of our latest issue to read the rest of Cam's adventures.

03/01/2025

FLASHBACK FRIDAY
Sambar, Cunning Giants
Felix Rendell, 1997

I yelled to Paul to come. He ran with a big grin on his face yelling, "You've got a trophy". I was none the wiser having never seen a Sambar deer before, only in books. "It's got 6 points". It took a while for me to realise that's how many make a good sambar head.

Now I've shot plenty of reds and sika without getting a decent head. Here's me on my first sambar hunt and I've shot a trophy!

We began to take our cuts of meat off it. Talk about thick thinned. Luckily for us we had our sharpening stones with us. I have never seen such a thick skin before. I understand now why you have to use a heavy calibre bullet. It would have made excellent leather for someone.

(This sambar was taken with a W/Featherweight .308. Douglas score ended up being 191 1/2 with a 32.5 spread.)

NZ Sambar and Rusa hunting

26/12/2024

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO READ THESE HOLIDAYS

Pick up a copy of NZ Outdoor's latest issue with plenty of great reading, including this gem about taking kids hunting by Reuben Jane.

"Over the years I’ve not only introduced my own kids to hunting but have taken many other non-hunting kids and adults into the hills. It sometimes starts with a curious conversation around our hunting lifestyle and often ends in me taking them on their first hunt. Age is not a barrier and I don’t think there’s a right or wrong age regarding when to introduce kids to hunting. It comes down to their abilities and you must tailor the experience to suit the new hunter. It could be as simple as a rabbit shoot, but this still gives them the opportunity to experience hunting. Some new hunters have come on deer or pig hunts and even if they are just tagging along and watching, it gives them an insight as to what is involved in the harvesting of an animal. This often sparks something inside them and I’ve seen many people become hunters.

I don’t rush kids into pulling the trigger and prefer to see them genuinely interested in all aspects of hunting before they shoot anything. Teaching them to hunt for food is important to me as I feel an animal should only be shot if you are going to eat it. Then of course comes the butchery lessons and all that goes with taking an animal from the field to the plate. Teaching them to utilize as much of the animal as possible and making the effort to look after the meat so it doesn’t spoil and get wasted. Teaching them what the different cuts are and how best to use them is important as they will enjoy the meal more if these are selected well. I love nothing more than eating a steak knowing exactly when it was shot, where it was shot, and having an appreciation for the effort that went into getting the meal to the table.

I would love to encourage other hunters to introduce kids and adults to hunting. I’ve had great satisfaction from doing so and love hearing stories of their hunts as they proudly recall their first game animal."

You can also watch Reuben's videos at https://www.youtube.com/.jane01

20/12/2024

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

SUMMER CHAMOIS IN THE DOUGLAS
1997, Ian Cole

Mist shrouded the highest peaks and rain still threatened when Chris and I dropped into the Douglas River on a February evening. Late summer with long days, settled weather and easy travel is a great time to hunt chamois.

“Ecstatic, I had found an attractive head exactly ten inches long with good bases, my best chamois trophy yet.”

NZ Outdoor Magazine - Supporting Hunters for 87 years.

19/12/2024

BEYOND THE ROAD photo competition…(details below)
Sam The Trap Man Eastern Whio Link

19/12/2024

FIVE DAYS TO GO!!!

Scratching your head as to what to get the outdoors lover this Christmas. A subscription is the gift that keeps on giving all year round. Get every issue delivered to their mailbox and at the same time you will be supporting the hunting community and a magazine that has been providing for over 87 years.
Go to https://www.nzoutdoor.co.nz/nz_outdoor_hunting_subscribe... and email [email protected] if you would like a gift voucher.

15/12/2024

Where the Wild Things Play
Matt Hata, Eastcoast Hunters

Instantly, there was a crash and the stag came into view about 8m away. Holy crap, this was no six-point beast, this thing had waaaay more bone. My gun was at my shoulder and at about 4m away I pulled the trigger. BOOMWHA! The cannon spoke and the stag dropped. He literally came to a stop right at my feet. I reloaded just in case he decided to get up, but he had died instantly with the first shot. I couldn’t believe it; 8, 9, 10, 11….12 points woohoo. I had finally cracked a 12 and I was stoked. I took my day pack off and sat down thinking how the heck I was going to move this bugger? Now, if you know me, I am not really built for carrying things, I’m more built for speed. This thing would weigh almost two of me...

(In the third pic is a photo of Uncle Wayne, one of our whanau that is gone but not forgotten. This photo travels with us everywhere we go)

You can read Matt's first article for NZ Outdoor in our latest issue out now.

13/12/2024

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

1997 and a change of Editor to Martin Askes and new writers such as Neil Philpott, Cam Speedy and Tony Orman. Here Cam Speedy Sika Foundation is standing with his record 193 DS sika head.

Sika Hunters New Zealand
old as hunters

12/12/2024

BUSHMAN APPROVED GIFT IDEA

Scratching your head as to what to get the outdoors lover - hunter - bushman this Christmas. A subscription is the gift that keeps on giving all year round. Get every issue delivered to their mailbox and at the same time you will be supporting the hunting community and a magazine that has been providing for over 87 years.

Go to https://www.nzoutdoor.co.nz/nz_outdoor_hunting_subscribe.html and email [email protected] if you would like a gift voucher.

09/12/2024

Our December issue is out today - make sure a copy is in a Christmas stocking this Christmas.

Sam The Trap Man and his uncle Kirk tackle the Otago tussock high country at Lake Hawea Station during the roar, a trip where they witnessed some amazing things very different to their meat-gathering North Island hunts.

Reuben Jane shares his back story of getting into hunting and how he now enjoys introducing kids and new hunters to the hills.

Cams food adventure takes his daughter hunting, check out the massive cast antler they discovered which saved the day.

Rory O'Brien shares stories of some of his mentors and how it has helped him on his journey to becoming the hunter he is today.

Matt Hata from Eastcoast Hunters joins us to share his adventures, with a cracker 12 pointer.

Strider Media tells us another snowy tale, Louise shares her 4th instalment in the series Finding Frank extracts,Craig Cooper from Fiordland Boys Hunting NZ shares his epic day out on the water with Captain Jake and Blue Fin tuna, and an Easter weekend sees Lucy and Jackson nailing a 14 pointer.

Another jampacked issue. So make sure you pick yourself up a copy from your nearest supermarket or bookstore and enjoy a great read .

04/12/2024

Help us support Louise Maich, author of the top selling book Finding Frank and writer for NZ Outdoor Magazine, as she raises funds for her new book on the history of the NZDeercullers.

You can follow Louise's journey at Frank Erceg Project as she travels the country in 2025, meeting deer cullers and visiting some of the old huts that became well-known through legendary figures from the early culling days.

You can read more and support the project via the link below.
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-preserve-the-history-of-the-nz-deercullers?fbclid=IwY2xjawG9s29leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHWwT-1YNDoK_ip5zbjPmLEIbf-QMzllT0rtz7ePb5l1c4yFouUkJgjifkQ_aem_A8Bbzt0e7zNNcqicMmm-MQ

04/12/2024

It doesn’t always go to plan
By Cam Mckie Cams food adventure

"During the winter months it can be a challenge to align good weather with some free time to go out hunting. Finally, with a spare few days I had 72 hours of clear weather ahead so gathered my gear and packed for a three-day trip.

I woke to clear skies the following morning and made my way to Kaweka Road, but as I pulled into the carpark I was shocked to see five utes parked up and already away hunting. I changed to plan B, but mumbled ‘BLOODY HELL’ under my breath as I arrived at my next spot only to find a few carloads of trampers preparing to head to the same hut. Surely it couldn’t get any worse! With frustration I discovered the next three carparks were also chocka but I wasn’t going to give up so decided to head into Kaweka Flats, a place I used to roam around regularly.

While lacing up my boots I could hear voices coming from the bush and then a couple of old folk emerged. “Beautiful day,” he said and began to explain that all the other vehicles I had come across were part of his group. It was Pensioners Tramping Day and they came out every Wednesday.

After a brew I headed off in good spirits as the sun was out and the birds were chirping. I took my time stopping at several streams while looking for sign and in no rush to be getting anywhere. Suddenly, I could hear the thump of footsteps coming and waited at the bottom of a small hill as a flurry of trampers came through, 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6 & 7. We spoke briefly before heading in different directions.

I was now only 15 minutes away from the bivy and walking around a corner bumped into another hunter who was there for the day. “Sh*t it’s busy in here today......”

Get yourself a copy of our latest issue or subscribe to keep up to date with Cam's latest Sika adventures. https://www.nzoutdoor.co.nz/nz_outdoor_hunting_subscribe.html

01/12/2024

You would have seen the cover and should have read the story in the latest NZ Outdoor Magazine, now you can watch the live action at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqlAG63YDSM (you have one more week to grab yourself a copy so don't miss out!!!)

Another epic adventure by Reuben Jane in the Kaimanawas chasing Sika. Join the Sikaboom crew on their 10 day 2024 Sika Roar hunt.
So many firsts on this trip including an 8 pointer and 2 stags within an hour of each other. 3 generations living the dream in the bush.

Reuben Jane

Another epic adventure in the Kaimanawas chasing Sika. Join the Sikaboom crew on our 10 day 2024 Sika Roar hunt.So many firsts on this trip including an 8 po...

28/11/2024

FLASHBACK FRIDAY
Hunting the Deep South, John Chandler, 1992

April-time again for the yearly pilgrimage to the hunting fields. I hoped this year would be luckier than last, at least for me. I was a little sceptical on the area, as would be anybody who read the article by Col Alison about the demise of the South Westland hunting. ….

….A stag let out a grumble. Turning away I gave a roar – instantly he replied not 100 metres away. Quickly dropping the pack full of meat, I made my way cautiously to intercept him. Refraining from roaring again, and only moving when he did. I spotted the tops of his antlers which seemed to tower about the undergrowth. Through the scope I could make out his large rather red body. Not hanging around I took the shot – a little too quickly – because it took him a bit far back. He went down instantly, but just as quickly regained his feet and was off. All I remember was running after him yelling something to the fact that he wasn’t going anywhere. Although obviously hard hit, I wasn’t happy until the stag was down so I put a more precise round into him which quickly did the job. The stag was an old 11 pointer in pretty good condition. Obviously his antlers were on the decline, but I was too excited with my good luck.…

What has been said about South Westland numbers seems to be true in most areas, but with a little local knowledge, hard work and some luck there are still a few worthy stags around. I hear the chamois are doing ok.

NZ Outdoor Magazine - Supporting Hunters for 87 years.

26/11/2024

Beyond the Manuka By Rory O’Brien

"As we made our way in the dawn light, the fog held low in the valley cloaking us like a blanket and covering the hills that were slowly waking up to the chaos of the roar. The pinnacle of the
deerstalkers' calendar: this is what we as hunters dream about, this is what we wait all year for."

Get yourself a copy of our latest issue while it is still on the shelf and follow Rory on Instagram .m.obrien.
Did you know Rory and his family are also beekeepers and honey producers Hunt and Gather Bee Co.

20/11/2024

Let’s all support Ben as he tackles the remaining climbs! You can support his journey by giving him a follow or by donating on his givealittle page here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/stand-tall-for-mental-health.
Every dollar raised helps us continue to provide mental health support and resources to hunters, rural folk and the NZ firearms communities.

Climbing 10000m a month for 4 months, then summiting Mt Earnslaw. Raising awareness and funds for mental health in the rural sector.