The article “Deer Stalking in New Zealand” written by V. E. Donald appears at pp 4-6 of Volume 1, No. 2, December, 1927, Wellington, N.Z. of The New Zealand Fishing & Shooting Gazette. Follow this link to read the full article.
Wapiti
The New Zealand Fishing and Shooting Gazette: An Introduction
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.
Kevin J. Whitelaw: New Zealand’s Hunting Legends
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
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
Bruce Banwell: Wapiti in New Zealand
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
Vern Wilson: From Hoon to Hunter
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
The Deer of New Zealand (1906-7 Christchurch Exhibition)
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
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: 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
Simon Gibson: Wapiti Hunting in New Zealand
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
Vern Wilson: The Travelling Hunter
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
Greig Caigou & Matt Winter: The Heart of Hunting
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
Bob Pittaway: The Lure of the Hills
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
James Passmore: Wilderness Hunter
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
Trevor Paul Bentley: Hunting for a Hobby
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
Major R. A. Wilson: My Stalking Memories
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
The Hunter 