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
Conservation
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
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
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
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
Hans Willems: The Hunting Tales of Percy Lyes
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
Kate Hunter: Hunting, A New Zealand History
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
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
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
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
Tony Orman: A Hunting Life
Review rating 4.5 out of 10.
Written by one of New Zealand’s most respected outdoors authors and editors, Tony delves into present day ethics, policies and politics of hunting in New Zealand in his 23rd and latest book, A Hunting Life … 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
The Hunter 