Hunting Legends

Hunting Legends – Rupert Carlyon’s Stalking Days – Part One

The superb red deer trophy taken by Rupert Carlyon from the Landsborough Valley in 1921 grabs a stellar spot amidst the finest heads ever taken in New Zealand, and while it’s a well-known ‘royal’, the stalker himself and his hunting adventures remain virtually unknown.

Hunting Legends Max Curtis – No Ordinary Hunter – Part 4

Max’s brother Arthur was also employed as a government shooter, and in 1954, he was working the Hokitika/Whitcombe Valley country, which Max knew so well.

Max Curtis – No Ordinary Hunter – Part 3

Max Curtis – No Ordinary Hunter – Part 2

Usually, most shooters with the choice hankered for the bright lights of town, but Max and Percy wished to undertake a trophy hunt for themselves.

Hunting Legends – The Halcyon Days oF Roy Large and Athol Hood – Part 3

In the following season of 1954, Roy Large and Frank Delaney had the companionship of Newton McConochie who joined them for a return trip to the Waiatoto.

Hunting Legends – The Halcyon Days oF Roy Large and Athol Hood – Part 2

On Thursday, March 28, 1953, the Blenheim party of Roy Large, Athol Hood and Frank Delaney returned to the Waiatoto for the new season.

Hunting Legends – The Halcyon Days oF Roy Large and Athol Hood – Part 1

If any Otago valley can boast consistency in giving up some of the finest red deer heads stalkers could wish for, it has to be the Young River – while in South Westland, the location with a parallel reputation would be the Waiatoto River.

Hunting Legends – Vern Wilson’s Wild Places – Part 3

For the wapiti bugle of 1980, Vern, accompanied by his friend Peter Townsend, drew the Wild Natives River block, which drains into the top end of Bligh Sound.

Hunting Legends – Vern Wilson’s Wild Places – Part 2

Invariably with the passing of time, a lot of keen hunters turn their sights towards fallow deer, as the lure of a paddle-shaped antlered head appeals to many.

Hunting Legends – Vern Wilson’s Wild Places – Part 1

Claiming trophies of all New Zealand’s game animals is known as the ‘Grand Slam’ and is the reserve of few hunters. For Vern Wilson, his quest for this honour closed in 1990 when he shot his final animal, a sambar stag.