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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 