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.
How to Resources and Guides
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.
Roger Lentle and Frank Saxton: Alpine Hunting in New Zealand
Review rating 7 out of 10.
This is the first comprehensive alpine hunting guide book written for New Zealand hunters. Alpine Hunting should grace the book shelf of all aspiring and avid tahr and chamois hunters. This book, along with the other guide books by the same authors, makes The Hunter’s highly recommended reading list … read more
Bruce Banwell: Wapiti in New Zealand
Review rating 9.5 out of 10.
This is the book that kick started Bruce Banwell’s distinguished career as an author. In it Bruce documents the early days of Wapiti hunting at the turn of last century through to the 1960s. This period is now known as the best years of the New Zealand wapiti herd … read more
Tony Orman: About Deer and Deer Stalking
Review rating 6.5 out of 10.
One of New Zealand’s pre-eminent outdoors authors, Tony Orman has pulled together a well researched and thoughtful book about deerstalking in New Zealand … 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
Lynn H. Harris: Guns & Game
Review rating 5 out of 10.
Guns & Game is a short book of eclectic chapters, covering the rarer deer herds (sambar, white-tailed deer, moose and chital), how to hunt, ballistics and other interesting ‘guns’ and ‘game’ subjects. It is written by the experienced and respected author, Lynn Harris … 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
Peter Hoar: New Zealand Hunting and Associated Books (A Bibliography)
Review rating 8 out of 10.
Finally, a book about New Zealand hunting books. Peter Hoar has compiled and edited the ultimate reference companion for hunting book collectors. You can cross-check your own collection against his comprehensive bibliography and even value it based on his guide prices … read more
Alistair Boyce: Boycie’s Wild Food Adventures
Review rating 3 out of 10.
In his first book, Alistair Boyce, publican and head chef of Wellington’s Backbencher gastro-pub, shares some of his wild game recipes and stories about gathering venison, pork, poultry and other game for the pot … read more
Simon Gibson: Wapiti Hunting in New Zealand
Review rating 8.5 out of 10.
Wapiti hunting is widely regarded as the ultimate challenge for New Zealand deer-stalkers and a quality guide book on the subject is long overdue. Simon Gibson’s comprehensive book is sure to be a classic, well thumbed hunting book … read more
Graeme Marshell & Don MacDonald: The Modern Hunter
Review rating 6 out of 10.
The Modern Hunter is the latest introductory hunting guide book to be released. It covers everything a novice hunter needs to learn and is presented in an easy to understand way. Highly recommended for the beginner hunter … read more
Alex M. Gale: The Sika Hunters
Review rating 6.5 out of 10.
The Sika Hunters is a compilation of stories and photos featuring exceptional trophy sika heads shot between 1993 and 2008. The heads were all entered into the annual Sika Show at Taupo near the deer’s home range in Kaimanawa and Kaweka Forrest Parks. This book also includes insightful chapters from renound modern day sika hunters … 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
Kerry Butler: The Secret to Hunting
Review rating 5.5 out of 10
Kerry Butler’s revised book is a how-to guide for bush stalking deer in North Island conditions. As a self taught and experienced sika and red deer stalker, Kerry passes on his passion and techniques for hunting … read more
Steuart Laing: New Zealand Hunting Adventures: Deer, Chamois and Tahr in the 21st Century
Review rating 6 out of 10.
The Hunter takes a look at Steuart’s follow up book to his previous two how-to guides on alpine hunting in the Southern Alps for tahr and chamois. Steuart, in addition to covering some previously unpublished material on tahr and chamois, writes about his deerstalking experiences and offers insights into his way of hunting … 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
The Hunter 