But it wasn’t until I found myself surrounded by rugged mountains, mirror-like lakes, beaucoup sheep, and fascinating species in New Zealand that I decided I wanted to make hunting and fishing my own. As a junior in college studying travel, tourism, and languages, I took an internship with Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing, an outfitter on the South Island.

For half the week I served hunters their dinner in the lodge after they came in from their hunts. The other half of the week I worked skinning and salting hides, and power-washing skulls to prepare the harvested animals for taxidermy.

I like to say I had the best of both worlds, being bloody and covered in brains for half the week and dolled up with my pearls for the other half. Little did I know that I’d fall in love with learning about the anatomy of the animals — red stag, fallow, tahr, chamois, pacific goats, and arapawa rams. I’d also fall in love with the wholesomeness of the sport, the stories I’d hear from hunters in the lodge and from the guides, the experiences of the team I worked with, and the testimonies of sincere pursuit towards wildlife conservation taking place across the world.

Thanks to Richard and Sarah Burdon, owners of Glen Dene, who graciously hosted me, and to the lifelong friends I made there, I was able to harvest my first deer — a beautiful red deer hind and later a fallow doe. As I skinned, butchered, and processed my first deer I’d just taken I couldn’t help but think, “this is the way it’s supposed to be.”

After processing the deer, I took a tenderloin and cooked it for lunch, and from that moment I was hooked… I wanted to hunt for the rest of my life. The process is pure and incredibly rewarding.

During my free time, I was also introduced to fishing. I got to learn about different types of trout from locals and even take a fly-fishing lesson, which I found truly enjoyable.

From what I learned about hunting and fishing in New Zealand, I became eager to go home and share the experiences with my friends and family. I also couldn’t wait to go home and hunt and fish species available in my own stomping grounds.

From this excitement, I made plans to continue learning about conservation, as I had learned so much from hunters all over the world and the different projects and species they were passionate about.

I recently took an opportunity to continue learning by interning with the Dallas Safari Club for the Summer Expo and Foundation Gala. This was an incredible opportunity as I got to catch up with old friends made in New Zealand, connect with outfitters from all over the world, guides/professional hunters, and work alongside a team of interns my age who also care about this industry and want to make a difference.

For young women like myself looking to get involved with hunting or fishing, my advice is to join local sportsman’s clubs or chapters that are active in the community. Find experienced hunters and anglers, ask lots of questions, and ask to hear their stories. Volunteer to tag along on hunts or fishing trips, attend shows like the DSC Convention, and stop and visit with the people working the booths. Look for internships with outfitters to continue learning and gaining hands-on experience.

Before I left for New Zealand, I couldn’t have understood the impact the internship would have on me. I couldn’t have expected it would mean being across the world for a Cajun girl to become passionate about the hunting lifestyle, but I suppose that’s what it took.

As a now senior in college, I look forward to my future in this field. From the internship, I realized I wanted to be a part of conservation projects, hunt and fish sustainably, and share the knowledge I gained with those around me.

By Chaise Sutherland For Lone Star Outdoor News

Chaise Sutherland

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While Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing isn’t solely a bow hunting outfit, we do excel in bow hunting opportunities. Our knowledgeable and experienced guides, vast game populations, seasonal flexibility, and ideal terrain sets us apart for archery hunts.

Some of our guides specialize in guiding archery hunters, and are bowhunters themselves. This ensures your guide understands all the nuances of not only getting within range of animals, but also of providing quality shot opportunities. Our guides recognize that communication during the hunt to prepare you for what’s anticipated is vital to harness these chances.

Game animal populations and terrain on our properties caters to bow hunters as well. Red stag and fallow buck populations are spread out over the entire ranch, instead of only dense populations in certain areas. This means that all eggs are not in one basket- if one stalk doesn’t work out, as we all know happens with archery hunting, there are plenty of other unaffected animals to pursue. Our tahr and chamois populations are similarly spread out, with mature animals inhabiting each suitable basin.

Contrary to popular belief, archery chances are plentiful year around, not solely during the rut. Often, when animals are in bachelor groups and focused on feeding, bow hunting favorability increases. This is especially true of tahr where the large groups of sharp-eyed nannies in their higher haunts can make getting within bow range more difficult when the bulls join them during their rut. Stags and chamois, on the other hand, do tend to get a bit sillier during their rut, but will still follow females away if one of their keen crew catches onto the hunters.

Thankfully, the terrain on Glen Dene provides exceptional stalking. Small gullies and drainages lace the faces of the larger valleys and basins. Native manuka scrub clumps scatter many hillsides providing cover for a shot. Little of the terrain is covered with the loud, thick bracken fern that renders quiet stalking nearly impossible. In the alpine country for tahr and chamois, the myriad of drainages provide excellent cover, although boulders and native matagouri scrub often play a part, also.

Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing has hit the jackpot for the best spot and stalk archery opportunities on either side of the equator! For the avid bow hunters, a trip to Glen Dene is a must!

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“Our trip is less than a month away. We are all very excited and can’t wait to get there,” Jody wrote in anticipation of his trip to Lake Hāwea, New Zealand. The team at Glen Dene worked closely with Jody in the lead-up to his arrival, helping with travel logistics, confirming details, and answering every last question—including whether a hunting license was needed (it’s not, when you’re hunting at Glen Dene). Once Jody and his friends arrived in Queenstown, the adventure began.

“We made it home safely,” Jody wrote after the trip. “We had a great time with lots of memories, great trophies, and some good venison meat.”

But the true highlight? The accommodation at Cross Hill Geodomes and overall experience. “We all agree that the accommodations were second to none,” Jody said. It wasn’t just their own opinion—another hunting party they met at the airport on the way back to the U.S. offered a revealing comparison. “They were very jealous and did not have nearly the experience that we had at Glen Dene,” he added. “We gave them your information in case they get to go back—they could go to the best next time.”

Throughout the planning process and the stay, Jody appreciated the communication and care from the Glen Dene team. From answering questions about sea fishing to tracking flights and weather, the staff’s commitment was clear.

“We’re excited to have you all here,” Tess from the Glen Dene team wrote before their arrival. “Just keep in mind that saltwater fishing is very weather-dependent… we’ll have to monitor the conditions as your trip gets closer.”

It’s that level of honesty, professionalism, and personal attention that sets Glen Dene apart.

As Jody wrapped up his email, he left the door wide open for another visit. “Thanks to everyone at Glen Dene for making our trip one that we will never forget. Hopefully we can come again and bring our wives next time.”

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The first week of hunting season at Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing has been nothing short of excellent. With clear skies and warm weather, conditions were ideal for both hunters and wildlife. Our team has been busy guiding clients through the breathtaking landscapes of Lake Hawea, leading to some truly memorable harvests.

The stags and elk taken this week boasted incredible racks, a testament to their maturity and the thriving ecosystem that supports them. Thanks to a summer rich in excellent feed, the animals were in prime condition, ensuring not only impressive trophies but also top-quality meat for the table. 

From Field to Table

Beyond the excitement of the hunt, the real work begins with breaking down the harvested meat. Our guides were hands-on throughout the process, ensuring every part of the animal was put to good use. Clients enjoyed the freshest cuts of venison and elk during their stay, prepared to highlight the natural flavours of the meat.

There’s something truly special about sitting down to a meal that tells the full story of a successful hunt—one of respect, sustainability, and appreciation for nature.

For those taking meat home, we carefully prepared prime cuts for transport. Any portions not taken were butchered to share with our staff and within our community. Our team takes great pride in ensuring that every harvest serves a greater purpose, contributing to the well-being of others while minimizing waste.

A True Nose-to-Tail Approach

In keeping with our commitment to using every part of the animal, we processed off-cuts from the shoulders, legs, and neck into ground meat, perfect for hearty casseroles and burgers. The prized backstrap and tenderloins were trimmed to remove any sinew, ensuring they were ready for the grill. There’s no better way to end a successful week than with a lakeside summer barbecue, enjoying the fruits of our labour under the open sky.

As the season continues, we look forward to welcoming more hunters to Glen Dene, sharing in the adventure, and celebrating the traditions of ethical hunting. Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses!

See what Southern Range Sports had to say

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People are always shocked to discover that they can participate in a guided hunt at Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing with no previous firearm or hunting experience. Our highly trained, certified hunting guides are both capable and eager to teach any interested client all aspects of hunting, from the rifle range to the meat chiller.

“We had heard about hunting,” said first time hunter and client Kevin from Auckland, New Zealand, “but it always seemed like something very far away, another world.”

Traveling to the Queenstown and Wanaka area to take part in the more mainstream tourist attractions and winter snow sports, Kevin and his partner Catherine were surprised to discover they could not only participate in a hunting experience as complete novices, but Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing would provide them with the equipment, a knowledgeable guide, and plentiful opportunities to help them gain confidence both hunting and in the outdoors in general.

Kevin said the main aspect that made the experience so enjoyable and encouraging was that it is very personalized. On any hunt, it’s always only your party and the guide, allowing us to customize the experience to your needs and goals. Maybe you need more time at the range to achieve the sureness desired on the hunt, or maybe physical limitations warrant hunting only in certain terrain. This one-on-one style of guiding helps the guides ensure that the experience is safe and enjoyable.

For first-time hunters, this customized setting is even more valuable. Kevin and Catherine’s guide noticed Catherine’s shoes were less than ideal for “on the hill,” and, with the help of the owner, Sarah Burdon, a more appropriate pair that fit was provided. Speaking to them a couple months after their trip, this was still something that they recall adding a lot to their day. “Feeling equipped with the correct gear and feeling comfortable with the rifle at the range helped us feel much more confident about going out on the hunt.”

From a guide’s prospective, “This is our chance to develop a lifelong passion for hunting and the outdoors. Not only is keeping people safe and having a successful hunt important, but also ensuring clients are comfortable and having a good time. That’s what will make their overall experience and hopefully encourage them to continue hunting. Hunting is a difficult activity to get into if you’re not born into a culture where it’s popular, so everything we can do on our hunts to help teach about the animals, the environment, and the firearms will help expand this activity we’re so passionate about. It’s kind of a niche recreation, and we’re really lucky to be able to share it with others.”

The personalized experience is of the upmost importance at the range, especially for first-time hunters because firearm safety and proper use is a top priority. Under the supervision of the licensed firearms holding, certified professional hunting guides, clients practice looking through the scope in common shooting positions, dry firing the rifles, and finally shooting at the range to ensure they are comfortable with the firearm before they’re ever on the hill hunting.

We strive for this session to not only lead to a successful day hunting, but also to lay a solid foundation for firearm handling and use for clients that choose to continue hunting. Initial instruction teaching correct technique develops good habits for the future. All our guides at Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing, along with being licensed firearm holders, have taken long range shooting courses to ensure they are well schooled in disciplined shooting and have vast experience setting up shots. This knowledge is invaluable to beginners at the range and in the field.

On Kevin and Catherine’s hunt, their guide chose to hunt with a small caliber suppressed rifle to ensure that there was no kick from the firearm during the rifle range session that may result in creating bad habits like flinching when pulling the trigger. For other hunts, such as on trophy stags or tahr, the guide will select a larger caliber for these heavier animals.

When “on the hill” hunting at Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing, the guides continue educating with explanations of animal behavior, stalking techniques, and natural plant and bird life. This firsthand experience with an expert will undoubtedly help those looking to continue hunting to progress much faster. Sharing the information also helps to keep clients engaged and included in decisions about the hunt.

Guides teach about field dressing animals and provide the manpower to help carry the carcasses out. For those interested in learning about butchery, back at the homestead your guide can break down the animal into cuts or take meat to the butchery for processing.

Kevin and Catherine had an evening flight out of Queenstown the day of the hunt. With the help of another guide to make the time deadlines, both deer were flat-skinned for the beautiful hides to be tanned for rugs, and the entire animals were butchered, debone, and separated into cuts, weighed and packaged in Styrofoam chillers, and sealed to fly home with them!

“We would not have been able to do any of it without a guide,” Kevin asserted. Having the assurance of someone who can instruct with the firearm, find and capitalize on animals, and is able to clean and deal to the animals after the hunt gives our first-time hunting clients the confidence they need to get out and try this new experience.

So maybe you’re interested in providing a healthy and sustainable source of protein for your friends or family, or maybe you just want to learn more about the outdoors and have an incredible adventure? Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing will provide you with the essential tools to learn and succeed hunting.

Our crest motto “Nil desperandum auspice deo,” “Do not despair, have faith in us,” pilots us in our efforts to give you confidence on the hill. Whether you’re in it for the experience or to learn about your new hobby, a first-time meat animal hunt at Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing is the opportunity for you!

Written by Bre Lewis

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Last year Dad, Uncle Denis and I had the opportunity to hunt on Glen Dene Station near Wanaka. Glen Dene is famous for its trophy stags and is usually visited by international hunters. Covid-19 lockdowns and border restrictions meant no international hunters so Richard and Sarah Burdon decided to open the station up for members of SCI. Not only was it the opportunity of a lifetime for us but a way of supporting the outfitters and fellow SCI members.

The drive to Wanaka took 5 hours but seemed shorter because of the gorgeous views constantly changing as we moved South. The low fog and high moisture content in the air gave way to a continual hoar frost from Lake Tekapo right through the Mackenzie Basin and started to clear just as we started to climb up the Lindis Pass. Uncle Denis would tell stories about the times he would go out hunting with Dad and his other brothers and how they would get up at 3am to get to their spot before dawn. It was obvious Dad and Uncle Denis were also excited. Lake Hawea welcomed us to Glen Dene sprawling out in front of us. It did not have any reflections but drew us in.

Raynardt, our guide, welcomed us and regaled us of absolutely hilarious stories of his own hunting expeditions from Africa that were completely different to anything Dad or Denis had experienced. Different animals, different landscapes and really different dangers and really funny compared to the safety of New Zealand hunting practices.

Now our hunting trips follow a very strict regime which always start with a trip to the range to check our rifles for accuracy. Dad hadn’t had much time to prepare for the trip so his rifle came out and went back into its case very quickly as he wasn’t confident it was shooting well and settled for using someone else’s rifle should the need arise. Raynardt introduced us to the use of shooting sticks, insisting we try as he advised of the benefits of using them in some different shooting positions. Uncle Denis was dubious but once he got his own style perfected, he was ringing gongs out to the 300 metre mark. He had brought a new rifle with him on this trip, another custom build but this time by Hardy Rifle Engineering built on a Sako 85 action with one of their carbon wrapped barrels chambered in 7mm Blaser Magnum.

The intention was to get it out on the hills and to bag himself a Chamois with it to ensure it was well blooded. With us confident our rifles were on the money we headed back to our cottage in the The Camp on the shores of the lake. Richard and Sarah have the whole operation well set up with the various facilities supporting and complementing one another to ensure we were well catered for. Our whole trip was well organised right from regular updates via email, a greeting call while travelling down, to accommodation, the hunting and then a taxidermy service should we be lucky in our pursuit for game animals. The sun was now well and truly gone and the temperature plummeting along with it, so it was indoors, heaters on full, dinner on the stove and then in to bed as it was the warmest place to be.

At 8.00am the following morning Raynardt was true to his word and standing on the verandah of the cottage urging us to get moving. 8.00am seems a leisurely hour to be heading out but as it was still dark to some degree and we were on the doorstep of our hunting area there was no real rush. A trip in the Hilux down the road and on to the station proper and then we swapped vehicles to a side by side. It was about then that the cold really hit us. It was very cold and we were about to embrace a weather phenomenon totally new to us and over the next few days it would prove to be character building. As soon as we were moving, we started to climb skyward, skyward towards that weather phenomenon…. the inversion layer. It looked like a blanket of low cloud but as we got higher and closer the temperature dropped drastically and once in it, visibility was extremely limited and the grass, the bush, the water and even my hair froze. As expected, we saw very little game during our ascent and to be honest, I wasn’t very interested as I was more focused on staying warm.

Finally, the light penetrated the haze and next thing we know we are bathed in sunlight. We had made it through the layer and were rapidly approaching the summit. When at the top we parked the vehicle and went for a walk to both warm up and to scout the area for any Chamois. Uncle Denis was going to be first up to bat!! As Raynardt checked out the usual haunts for chamois in this area we sat out of the wind but in the sun and sat in awe of the fantastic scenery before us. This country was just as Dad had said it would be, it was huge. High in the free-range areas you couldn’t hear a thing but above the cloud bank the temperature drop combined with the stiff breeze reminded us we were definitely high in the mountains. The surrounding mountain tops emerging out of the clouds were clear and showed the enormity of the countryside and the beauty Aotearoa is renowned for. The panoramic views were more breath taking than the biting breeze that whipped across. We were going to be walking as far as we would for an evening hunt back home and we would only be traversing the head of a valley. This was going to be a challenge!!

Uncle Denis and Raynardt were in discussion as they had found some mobs of chamois and were planning how we would get close to them. Raynardt contacted some of the other workers on the station who he knew were up there the day before so was keen to get an update on the terrain. His phone call brought about an immediate change of plan as we learnt the tracks there were all frozen so we were at risk of dropping in to the area but not being able to get back out. A night in these mountains may be our last so it was decided to put the chammy on hold till tomorrow and we would ascend via another track and carry on looking for a stag today for me.

It was a slow careful descent down through the inversion layer again with the tracks, tussocks and water all frozen now as the temperature dropped as quickly as we did. We travelled through part of the station which was home to farmed deer which provides the stock for the game park section of their operation, a total contrast to the fair chase rules which we abide by. These animals were huge and were much bigger than anything I had seen before and much bigger than I was expecting. At least 8 different stags with 18 – 20+ big strong points were seen from our vantage point. Magnificent animals meandering through the scrub and across the rock faces could be easily seen through binoculars, their huge antlers pointing them out despite their bodies ability to camouflage.

We bounced our way across the farmland down near the lake as this seemed status quo to climb then drop down move across to the next valley and then climb up again. The next valley was immersed in low cloud, fog, the inversion layer, the works and then we stopped. Surely to open a gate I thought, but there was no gate!! No…. this was it, we were now hunting, couldn’t see a bloody thing but we were hunting!!

We only had Raynardt’s knowledge of the land to know where we were going but he seemed confident so follow we did. We pushed on down the ridge hoping for the fog to clear but it wasn’t playing the game so we needed to hatch a plan. Raynardt decided to push ahead to see where the weather was clearing and we would continue down the ridge pausing to glass should there be any small opportunities gifted us. Uncle Denis had a bout of illness before we came away and was still feeling the effects of it so we weren’t breaking any records which as it turns out was an ideal tactic.

We decided to stop for a drink and an apple as the fog was thinning out and we could see to the valley floor and part of the track on the other side, the same track we would venture on to tomorrow. As we sat and wondered when Raynardt would be back Dad broke the silence with a “There’s one”. I was expecting to be able to look over the edge and see a set of antlers just below us but upon my admission that I can’t see anything Dad pointed out a dot of brown fuzz way way down in the bottom of the valley near a small river. I still wasn’t convinced it was a deer let alone a stag but played along with Dad’s story anyway. We sat and watched waiting for Raynardt to return and the whole-time dad’s piece of brown fuzz hadn’t moved an inch, was it really a stag or did Dad need a trip to Specsavers??

Raynardt returned and upon Dad’s direction he too saw the brown fuzz and thought it was worthy to have a look with his spotting scope. As soon as his eye was up to the lens he said “Not one stag but two”. Another was bedded down in the long grass and all that could be seen of him were the tops of his antlers.

A plan was hatched and we decided we would drop down the ridge, over the side and then stalk back up them using the hill and cuttings in the terraces as cover. It was game on!! Within 5 minutes walking and no real distance covered the second stag was now standing and they were both looking in our direction. Bugger! With no time to stop and think Raynardt evaluated the situation, combined with his vast experience, and had us heading back up hill and sidling across the face of the hill well out of view and with any chance of a breeze being in our favour.

This country was nothing like I had hunted in Canterbury and Wairarapa. It was huge and so open. I had never sidled around a hill like this for so long and my knees, ankles and balls of my feet were soon aching. Complaining was going to do nothing more than waste oxygen so I tramped on as quickly and quietly as possible. We reached the 4WD track well down the hill and would use this to cover the last distance required to get into reasonable shooting range. We hugged the embankment side of the track to stay out of sight for as long as we could with Raynardt popping up every so often to check on our quarry. They were still there but had come out of their beds and were milling on a flat terrace above the river, acting very suspiciously. One more quiet push forward and we would be under 200 metres. The excitement grew, I went through the plan with Raynardt and then we quietly slid forward until we were on the open side of the track and could see the stags and see them, we could.

They were huge, nothing like I had seen before and looking straight at us. There was no time to waste. Raynardt quickly sat beside me and with his experience in long range shooting and knowledge of my caliber, the .260 Remingto, dialed my CDS Leupold scope into his measured range. He was a huge stag with 17 points, bigger than anything I had seen up close, with another 18-point stag standing less than 100 metres away but Raynardt gestured for me to take a shot at the closer one. Dad not convinced that I could drop the stag with one shot with my trusty 260 Remington gave Raynardt Uncle Denis’s Sako to back me up.

The place I took my shot from was warm, in the shade and had a great view of the valley and river nearby, the stag was facing directly at us so I had to make a brisket shot, something I had never done before but now was the time to use it. Putting his size and presence out of my mind I concentrated on nothing other than where I needed to place the little 130 grain bullet to despatch him quickly and humanely. Raynardt whispered that my range was set and to fire when ready. I don’t think he got ready out of his mouth and I squeezed the trigger. The suppressor hissed and then there was that intense wait before the loud whack of all that energy striking him in the chest. I knew he was hit hard but he stood as if I had missed, then his huge frame toppled sideways, enough for the mass of his antlers to take control and drag him over the side of the terrace and down towards the river. Job done. The second stag was totally confused by the fact that one second his mate was there and the next he had totally disappeared.

His hesitation proved fatal. With a gesture from Raynardt, Dad was behind my rifle and getting him in the scope. The stag stopped and stood for a moment too long. The bullet struck and broke his shoulder and while like mine, dead on his feet, Dad fired again to be certain. We walked down and after ensuring Dad’s stag was dead, we started looking for mine. It was nowhere to be seen. Oh No!! Was it not a fatal shot?? Had he gotten away injured? We searched frantically as darkness was on the radar and we had deer to process. Uncle Denis had seen this all unfold from up on the hill and could tell we were looking in the wrong place so he slowly trudged all the way down the hill to put us in the correct location. We found my stag at the bottom of the face below the terrace near the river. As I got up close to him, I was in awe of his size. His antlers were huge and he had a body to match. Very big but in relatively poor condition as the cold climate prevents them from regaining condition lost during the roar.

Darkness was now setting in and with so much meat to dress out, the heads to deal to and of course the obligatory photo shoot, Raynardt enlisted the help of some of the station staff to bring in another vehicle to assist. This is just another awesome part of the service Glen Dene offers and one we were truly grateful for as I was very cold and very tired. My bed beckoned me.

The Next day we woke up nice and early to go to the top of the mountains where the chammy had been seen the day before. Following the same routine as the previous day we were in the side by side and heading skyward before we knew it. Up through the paddocks we raced until through the final gate where the bush edge started. It didn’t seem as cold today but the inversion layer was still hanging there so anything could happen. We agreed last night that we had not been well enough prepared for the weather and the cold had helped sap all our energy reserves down to a point where Dad felt ill. It was so easy to see how dangerous our mountain ranges could be and why missing person events can easily turn into fatalities. We couldn’t risk that again so Dad and I were wearing nearly everything we had that was still dry. We climbed and climbed for a good 30 – 45 minutes past where we harvested our stags but now on the other side of the river. Eventually we edged our way into the inversion layer which was actually sinking into the valley.

Today it was worse. As it descended the vegetation and the puddles in the track froze as if a scene from Lord of the Rings and it got bitterly cold. Expecting to climb through it as we did the previous day, a road block was thrown up 5 – 10 minutes from the summit. We turned a corner in the track to be confronted by a nasty washed out shaley section which was completely frozen. Raynardt put the buggy into low 4WD and started creeping up to it but our worst fear became reality, we started sliding on the ice. At this altitude, with a near sheer drop into a steep gully to the side, our forward momentum ceased. We sat and pondered with Dad and Raynardt checking the track out further up. As it decided vehicle access was a no go from this point Uncle Denis decided he would attempt to walk the rest of the way to the top with Raynardt. Dad and I were to stay with the vehicle back it down the track until we could find a point in the track wide enough to turn it round and then reverse up the mountain as far as we could.

It was scary with moments when one wheel was completely off the ground but Dad’s experience with cross country motor cycle racing kept us in a straight line and heading forward. Once we had backed up as far as we could the long wait began. In fact, the long wait got so long that we decided to leave the vehicle and start walking to the top, it was the only way to stay warm. Through the inversion layer and seeing the summit in sight we rounded a corner to see the other two on their way back down. They had made it to the top, had found the same mobs of chamois from yesterday but upon calculating the time to get to them, harvest one, walk back and down to the side by side it wasn’t worth the risk as Raynardt was afraid of more of the track freezing and then we would have a real problem.

We slowly ambled back to the vehicle, had a bite to eat as it was early afternoon by this stage and then carried on heading back down. Almost off the hill and back into slightly warmer temperatures and Dad beckoned to Raynardt that he had seen something on the track heading uphill. He saw it for a split second but knew it wasn’t a deer because of the colour so we parked up and waited and watched the portions of track visible to us before they turned back into the small gullies. Sure enough a pig rounded the bend trotting up the road. We decided to stay put, stay quiet and stay still and see if he stayed on the track to our level. His choice to do so was his worst decision for the day. Uncle Denis was in the front passenger seat and readied the Blaser anticipating it’s first kill. The little boar rounded the bend a good 100 metres off and stopped on the track deciding which way to jump. He chose his right but it didn’t really matter he exposed his neck and it was game over. With darkness looming again we lifted the whole pig on the back of the vehicle and would dress it out completely back at base. After all it was only 10 minutes away and it most certainly wasn’t hot enough that the meat would spoil.

Back home to our little cottage at a more reasonable hour than the day before, we had showers to warm up and then headed to Richard and Sarah’s home for dinner. A true outfitter’s home with the walls and floor littered with trophies and not just New Zealand species, trophies from all over the world. After a wonderful evening and a beautifully cooked meal it was home to the warmth of my bed. Next morning the reality of home time hit and as usual I wished I could stay just one more day but as usual we can’t so began packing the vehicle. Having picked up the ample venison harvested from the chiller we said our goodbyes to Raynardt and Richard and we headed back to Wanaka for fuel and an awesome breakfast. It was Uncle Denis’s shout. With the vehicle and ourselves fully fueled we cruised over the Clutha River as I drifted off to sleep knowing I had another wonderful hunting adventure in the bank and how could I con Dad into coming back. It too would be a challenge but I think I can do it!!

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Watch the interview here

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Hi team Glen Dene,

I  just wanted to say a huge thank you for our recent trip. Being our first time in NZ we was amazed by how spectacular Glen Dene is.

The accommodation was excellent and comfy and thanks to Richard and Sarah inviting us for dinner a few times at your lodge with great food and people that we met. Thanks for the amazing hunting experience we had with Raynardt and Will in helping us to secure our trophies,  give them a big shout they were great even keeping us busy when our animals were on the deck.

We couldn’t have asked for a better experience and was great to do it as father and son!   Thanks again everyone and I will be back at some stage..

Alex , Rod Triffitt from Tasmania 

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