Public Land

The New Zealand Fishing and Shooting Gazette: An Introduction

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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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.

Philip Holden: Pack and Rifle

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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

Howard Egan: Hunting Fallow Deer in New Zealand

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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

The Deer of New Zealand (1906-7 Christchurch Exhibition)

/ The Hunter (NZ)

One hundred New Zealand deer heads were assembled in 1906-7 at Christchurch for an exhibition. An illustrated pamphlet was produced to provide the visitors with information about the various deer herds located around New Zealand and the great trophy heads on display. This display was organised by the ‘father’ of New Zealand big game hunting, Mr. T. E. Donne, with the pamphlet written by E. Hardcastle … read more

Colin Davey: Deer on my Doorstep

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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

Hans Willems: The Hunting Tales of Percy Lyes

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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

Ross Curtis: Chopper Murphy

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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

Peter Harker: Hunting with Harker

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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

Don Kiddie: The Wanderings of a Deer Hunter

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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

Greg Fagg: Hunting Under the Southern Cross

/ The Hunter (NZ)

The Hunter_Book Cover_Greg Fagg_Hunting Under the Southern CrossReview rating 3 out of 10.

Unfortunately not all books on the subject of hunting are recommended reads despite their subject matter. Greg Fagg’s first shot at writing may have come up short, not being suitable for all readers — however there are glimpses of quality hidden away in his clumsy writing style. The book’s one shining quality is its many colour photos … read more

 

Steuart Laing: New Zealand Hunting Adventures: Deer, Chamois and Tahr in the 21st Century

/ The Hunter (NZ)

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