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
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.
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 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 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
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
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 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 6 out of 10.
Social historian Kate Hunter has researched and compiled a book on the history and culture of hunting and hunters in New Zealand. She recognised hunting’s core role in the identity of New Zealanders and that ‘hunting’s story’ needed to be told … 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 6.5 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 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 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 out of 10.
Trevor Bentley’s first book, Hunting for a Hobby, details the trials and tribulations of the self confessed average Kiwi hunter … 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 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 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 