The article “Red Deer at Manapouri” written by Harold T. Thomas appears at pp 3 to 5 of Volume 1, No. 4, February, 1928, Wellington, N.Z. of The New Zealand Fishing & Shooting Gazette. Follow this link to read the full article.
Autobiography and Memoir
The Gazette: Amongst the Red Deer at Lake Hawea, Vol 1, No 2, Article Three
The article “Amongst the Red Deer at Lake Hawea” written by Robt. H. Scott appears at pp 17 & 18 of Volume 1, No. 2, December, 1927, Wellington, N.Z. of The New Zealand Fishing & Shooting Gazette. Follow this link to read the full article.
The Gazette: Deer Stalking in New Zealand, Vol 1, No 2, Article One
The article “Deer Stalking in New Zealand” written by V. E. Donald appears at pp 4-6 of Volume 1, No. 2, December, 1927, Wellington, N.Z. of The New Zealand Fishing & Shooting Gazette. Follow this link to read the full article.
The Gazette: Deer Stalking, Vol 1, No 1
The article “Deer Stalking” written by the Editor appears at pp 9-11 of Volume 1, No. 1, November 1, 1927, Wellington, N.Z. of The New Zealand Fishing & Shooting Gazette. Follow this link to read the full article.
The New Zealand Fishing and Shooting Gazette: An Introduction
I had been aware of the existence of the ‘original’ New Zealand hunting magazine, The New Zealand Fishing and Shooting Gazette, which was the forerunner of our current suite of glossy hunting magazines, but I was only recently inspired to visit the Alexander Turnbull Library Collection to see original copies held there following a discussion about our hunting literature heritage with a like-minded friend.
Over the years many books and articles refer to, or take excerpts from, the Gazette’s pages. Even the late, great author, D. Bruce Banwell was helped most recently when writing his interesting biography about Archie Kitto, one of our most accomplished deer stalkers from the early part of last century, by incorporating Kitto’s original articles — he was a regular contributor to the Gazette.
So intrigued by the Gazette’s contents, I’ve decided to publish a selection of the hunting articles and editorials because the Gazette cannot be read online owing to the fact that none of the Gazettes have been digitized (I asked the librarian if there was any intention to do so and was told it would be too costly and in any event low priority as it was too esoteric). Most hunting book collectors won’t have copies of their own so given this I hope to bring some light to the old stories so that a new generation of readers can see the stories, editorials, and correspondence first hand.
What is interesting, and will soon become apparent once you have read a reasonable body of the Gazette, is the fact that the debates and issues around hunting and big game have not changed in substance in over 100 years. Deer were first brought to New Zealand in 1850 and have been loved and loathed in equal measure ever since. The merits of what constitutes a trophy are a perennial debate.
You can read the initial Editorial from November 1, 1927 and a collection of interesting excerpts here.
Over time I will post more articles in chronological order. These will be copy-typed but will be accompanied by the original photos.
Like I have, I hope you enjoy reading the Gazette.
Newton McConochie: You’ll Learn no Harm from the Hills
Review rating 9 out of 10.
A kiwi hunting classic, Newton’s epic stories about a bygone time should be read by all hunters. His stalking exploits are legendary and his trophies are some of the most recognised in New Zealand hunting circles. He recounts stalks for majestic red stags and wapiti bulls, in each case taken under testing circumstances … read more
Gerard Abrams: Gone Hunting (Book 1: Lessons)
Review rating 6.5 out of 10.
Gerard Abrams has spent years “out there” chasing the ‘Pacific big 15’ game animals and has written about these adventures in a trilogy, with his first book (‘Book 1: Lessons’) just released. I can’t wait to read books 2 and 3 … read more
Philip Holden: Pack and Rifle
Review rating 8 out of 10.
Philip Holden’s first book, Pack and Rifle, has been reprinted in four editions and many thousands of copies since it first hit book shelves in 1971 — and with good reason, it is often quoted as being a hunter’s favourite book and the book which inspired them to seek the thrill of the hunt. It is quite simply a classic New Zealand hunting book … read more
James Morris: Student Hunter, The Hunting Tales of a University Student
Review rating 4 out of 10.
The Hunter takes a look at James Morris’ first book about his university days hunting in the Southern Alps for red deer, tahr and chamois. In this book James recounts his time as a novice big game hunter clocking up tallies to fill his freezer … read more
Vern Wilson: From Hoon to Hunter
Review rating 4.5 out of 10.
From Hoon to Hunter is an autobiographical yarn about the stalking highlights of Vern Wilson’s hunting career. Its focus is New Zealand’s big game animals as opposed to his second book which covers overseas hunts … read more
Howard Egan: Hunting Fallow Deer in New Zealand
Review rating 5.5 out of 10.
Here The Hunter reviews Howard Egan’s second and most recent book, Hunting Fallow Deer in New Zealand: The Fallow Deer Herd, which covers Howard’s personal fallow deer hunting and farming experiences. Howard has had a passion for fallow deer for over 60 years and that passion has manifested in this book, dedicated to his favourite big game animal … read more
Colin Davey: Deer on my Doorstep
Review rating 8.5 out of 10.
Fifty years since original publication, Deer on my Doorstep by Colin Davey has been re-released. It is one of New Zealand’s greatest hunting books, full of stories about trophy hunting for red deer stags and wapiti bulls, and much more. All keen readers should get their hands on it or dust off the copy sitting on their bookshelf … read more
Max Curtis: Beneath the Mountain Mist
Review rating 6 out of 10.
We review Max Curtis’ second and last autobiography entitled ‘Beneath the Mountain Mist’, where he covers personal trophy hunting adventures to Westland in search of elusive 40 x 40 royal red deer stag heads. It is a solid follow up book to his first, about a different phase in his hunting career, but does not quite deliver the same thrills and rewarding hunts of his first book ‘Beyond the River’s Bend’ — nevertheless, it is a worthwhile read … read more
Max Curtis: Beyond The River’s Bend
Review rating 7.5 out of 10.
Max Curtis, of Fiordland moose hunting and red deer culling fame, writes about his hunting experiences in his autobiography (the first of two), ‘Beyond the River’s Bend: Tales of Red Deer, Moose and Wapiti in New Zealand’. It includes the only first-hand account about the third and last ever bull moose shot in Fiordland … read more
Dave McClunie: Classic New Zealand Mountain Hunts
Review rating 8.5 out of 10.
In his first book Dave McClunie has written a fantastic account of his time trophy hunting for wapiti, tahr and chamois. Dave also recounts stories about his guided clients’ bucks and bulls secured on free range expeditions in South Westland … read more
Dave McClunie: Classic New Zealand Game Trails
Review rating 8 out of 10.
Classic New Zealand Game Trails by Dave McClunie inspired my passion for hunting books and was the start of my own hunting book collection. His book makes it on to The Hunter’s Classic Hunting Books list and is a must read for all New Zealand big game hunters, especially those alpine hunters who dream of big bull tahr and buck chamois in high places … read more
Barry Crump: A Good Keen Man
Review rating 9 out of 10.
Recently nominated for the title of “Great Kiwi Classic” and narrowly missing out, Barry Crump’s first novel, ‘A Good Keen Man’ (1960) is a must read for all New Zealanders, hunters or otherwise … read more
Peter Salter: Pete the Bushman
Review rating 6 out of 10.
Peter Salter’s first book, Pete the Bushman, Hunting Tales and Back-Country Lessons from a Wild West Coaster, is an interesting and well written autobiography and provides an insight into one of the West Coast’s infamous characters … read more
Bob Pittaway: The Lure of the Hills
Review rating 6.5 out of 10.
Here The Hunter reviews Bob Pittaway’s most recent book, The Lure of the Hills, which recounts Bob’s deer hunting experiences, mainly in the North Island. It covers the time from his first encounter with fallow deer some 50 years ago to his more recent hunts for trophy red deer stags … read more
Ross Curtis: Chopper Murphy
Review rating 5 out of 10.
Chopper Murphy is Ross Curtis’ sixth book in his “Murphy Series”. Set in the Nelson and Tasman regions of the South Island, this book focuses on Ross’ experiences in deer hunting and deer control, particularly his observations on the impact of fixed-wing planes and helicopters on hunting operations … read more
Peter Harker: Hunting with Harker
Review rating 8 out of 10.
Here we review Peter Harker’s first book, complied and published in 1976. This classic hunting book records the many experiences, successes, close calls and characters that Peter endured as a meat and skin hunter, trophy hunter, big game guide and live game recovery specialist in the South Westland region (affectionately referred to as the “Coast” in the book). This is a must read for all New Zealand hunting book fans… read more
Chris Phillips: More than the Odd Round Mate
Review rating 4 out of 10
Here The Hunter reviews a collection of anecdotes by Chris Phillips spanning his hunting and shooting career, centered around pest control of rabbits, hares, pigs, stoats, possums and wallabies. The odd red deer stalking story is also recounted … read more
Don Kiddie: The Wanderings of a Deer Hunter
Review rating 6.5 out of 10
There have been many books written about deer culling exploits in New Zealand and Don’s autobiography is a great addition on the subject. However this book provides a welcome change with a focus on the North Island and also details early tests using 1080 poison to control deer numbers. This book is a must read for New Zealand hunting purists … read more
Major R. A. Wilson: My Stalking Memories
Review rating 9 out of 10.
In this book review we take a step back in time to read Major Wilson’s epic accounts of his time red deer and wapiti deerstaking during the 1920s to 1940s. First published in 1961 the latest edition can be purchased only directly from the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA Publications) … read more
Connor McKenzie: Stags in the Mist, Voices on the Wind and Other Stories
Review rating 6 out of 10.
Connor McKenzie’s name will be recognisable to most New Zealand hunters due to his regular column in NZ OUTDOOR Hunting Magazine. Continuing in his tongue-in-cheek style, where Connor mixes fact with fiction, his new book is sure to be a classic kiwi comedy. This book is for hunters and non-hunters alike … read more
Gary Joll: 50 Years of Trophy Hunting
Review rating 7 out of 10.
For The Hunter’s first book review we look at Gary Joll’s fourth book. This book showcases one of New Zealand’s premier hunting guides’ personal trophy collection and contains many epic stories from his years hunting around the world. Visually striking with many colour photos, this larger than standard hunting book is ideal for any coffee table … read more
