Story: Hunting

Hunter and wapiti

Hunter and wapiti

‘Rhino’ the hunter holds up the head of a wapiti–red deer hybrid stag that he has just shot in Fiordland. Wapiti are the most highly valued recreational animal in New Zealand. A 1988 study showed that hunters were willing to spend $1,100 for each wapiti shot, compared to $239 for red deer. Those wanting to shoot wapiti can enter a ballot to hunt in blocks (sections) of northern Fiordland where these hybrids live. In 2000, 328 hunters entered the ballot and 228 were successful.

Using this item

Hawea Hunting
Photograph by Chris McCarthy

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Hunting - Rifles, bowhunting, safety and literature', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/15641/hunter-and-wapiti (accessed 28 March 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 24 Nov 2008