John Forbes: The Forefather of New Zealand Deerstalking is a meticulously compiled tribute to John Forbes, a legendary figure in New Zealand’s deerstalking history from the 1920s to 1940s. Authored and compiled by John Riley, this book chronicles Forbes’ exceptional hunting achievements… read more
Review rating 8 out of 10.
Respected and well known hunter Zeff Veronese has released his hunting autobiography. Zeff is a legend in the New Zealand alpine hunting scene and has many N.Z.D.A. trophies and records to his name. This book covers his lifetime of adventures … read more
Review rating 8.5 out of 10.
Peter Ryan has released his anticipated second book and, like his first, it will be a New Zealand hunting classic. This time he brings in other well respected outdoors writers to contribute. He covers hunting, shooting, guns, gear, and history, and so much more. There’s a bit for everyone, and I’m sure at least one chapter will touch an emotion … read more
Review rating 5 out of 10.
Alison has written a very niche but interesting history book about Arapawa goats. With a limited print run of 100 copies I would encourage collectors to get in touch with her to add it to your bookshelf … read more
Review rating 8.5 out of 10.
Originally published as a series of 20 articles for Rod & Rifle magazine, Whitelaws interesting stories about notable, historical New Zealand hunting figures have been compiled and printed under one binding … read more
Review rating 6 out of 10.
Stag Doo is another great book by Big Al Lester. I initially wondered if he’d have the material up his sleeve to write a 9th book. He did, but the catch is that this book retells tales from other hunters … read more
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
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
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
Review rating 8 out of 10.
The Himalayan Tahr is the 8th and final book which completes the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association “big game records series”. It is the great author, D. Bruce Banwell’s final and fitting contribution to New Zealand’s hunting literature … read more
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
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
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
Review rating 8.5 out of 10.
In his third book, The Red Stags of the Rakaia, Bruce Banwell records the history of the trophy red deer herd released among the Southern Alps at Manuka Point station in the Rakaia gorge. Again, he has added an invaluable work on New Zealand’s deerstalking heritage … read more
Review rating 7.5 out of 10.
Prepared on behalf of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, Peter Harker records the history of the introduction of deer to Otago in this profusely illustrated book. With a focus on red deer and their famous trophy heads, there are also interesting chapters about fallow deer, sika and chital … read more
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
Review rating 9 out of 10.
Bruce Banwell has complied and edited the diaries written by great deerstalker, Archie Kitto, to produce this work about stalking trophy red deer heads of the Otago and South Westland herds during the 1920s and 1930s … read more
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
Review rating 9.5 out of 10.
Bruce Banwell’s highly recommended, desirable, and classic work, Highland Stags of Otago (1968), embodies all the characteristics of its subject matter, the trophy royal red deer stag, and is so eloquently illustrated by its cover image “The Monarch of the Glen“. It is a “trophy book” of the highest order … read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Review rating 8 out of 10.
The Hunting Tales of Percy Lyes is a biography authored by Han Willems about Percy’s legendary hunting exploits during the ’40s and ’50s when Percy both culled red deer for the Internal Affairs Department and secured some of New Zealand’s most important big game trophies – a red deer stag with the longest antlers of 50 inches and the 3rd and last bull moose shot in Fiordland … read more
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
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
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
Review rating 6 out of 10.
In The Travelling Hunter, one of New Zealand’s master trophy hunters writes about his personal experiences stalking North American and African big game animals — within its pages you’ll find entertaining and enlightening chapters on shooting trophy caribou, moose, Dall’s sheep, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk (wapiti), Cape buffalo, sable, impala, oryx (gemsbok) and kudu … read more
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
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
Review rating 6.5 out of 10.
A great book for your coffee table, The Heart of Hunting is a beautifully presented photo book showcasing New Zealand’s wildlife in all its forms. The authors have undertaken the impossible task of articulating what it means to be a hunter … read more
Review rating 8 out of 10.
The Alpine Chamois is the definitive book written about chamois and chamois hunting in New Zealand — compiled by respected author, Bruce Banwell, for the New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association, it details New Zealand’s chamois hunting and documents the best chamois “heads” shot in New Zealand … read more
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
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
Review rating 5.5 out of 10.
Big Al’s first book was published over a decade ago now, so for those who missed out on his first three books, It’s a Bit Rugged, Mate revisits the highlights of these three books in a single volume, allowing you to move straight to his fourth book … read more
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
Review rating 5.5 out of 10
James Passmore has written his second book about what it means to be a “wilderness hunter”, the type of hunter which he confesses to be himself. James mixes South Island hunts for red deer, fallow deer and tahr with chapters on the challenges and ethics of hunting… read more
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
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
Review rating 8.5 out of 10.
Being compared to great outdoors authors like Ruark, Hemingway and Leopold is high praise but there is no doubt that Peter Ryan’s book is an instant New Zealand, if not worldwide, hunting classic. Wild South is the kind of book that makes you want more and one that you wish would never end … read more
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
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
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
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 