Thread: South Island Trip advice

Hi all,

I've got an old friend, his brother, and my friends son coming over from Canada mid March and they would like to go hunting in the South Island.
My friend went to Uni with me in Palmerston North and we did a bit of hunting together. Last time I saw his son he was in a stroller, he's nine now. It'd be awesome to get him a deer!

We're wanting to do a fly in hunt somewhere "tussocky" and have a classic South island hunting experience for a few days somewhere remote that is also doable for a nine year old. Deer as primary target but those other varieties of goaty creatures you've got down running around on the mountains there would be interesting too. Would be nice to be in an area with good animal numbers so we can get the young fella a good chance. I personally am not a trophy hunter so no preference for the genetics of an area.
We've been researching and asking helicopter operators and haven't been overly thrilled with the response (or lack thereof) and some of the prices quoted will make Helisika in the North Island blush...

Preference is an operator that either flies out of an airport I can fly into from the Northern Isles or can pick up from an airport - not super keen on renting a vehicle that'll be parked up the the majority of the time. What do others do in this circumstance?

Can anyone suggest a general area and/or operator that might be best to talk to?

Best option suggested so far seems to be Top Waitaha Hut flying out of Hokitika. Anyone know what animal numbers are like there?

I've never hunted the South Island so would really appreciate a point in the right direction. Not looking for your spot x but can always help with North Island spots (although they can mostly be summarised as go high-ish in the Ruahines or Kawekas, there will be too many deer, start shooting...).

Appreciate your help in advance. Happy if you want to PM me.