Red Stag Hunting

Trophy Expectations

Adult males are called stags and adult females are called hinds. Body weight can vary from 100-450 pounds (50-225 kg) and can be from 175 to 260 cm (69 to 100 “) at the shoulder in stags and hinds 160 to 210 cm (63 to 83“).

Although giant 300 inch plus trophy red stags can be found in non-native lands, in the UK a 6×6 or perfectly symmetrical 12 point stag with full crowns large enough to hold a whiskey glass is called a “Royal” and a very hard to find 14 point is an “Imperial”.

Scoring Red Stags

SCI Score

The SCI measuring system, used by most NZ outfitters and the basis for ‘medal’ scoring. The medal system is a moving scale based on averages in the record book, so what was a ‘gold medal’ 10 years ago, may only be a ‘silver medal’ now. SCI has both free range and ‘estate’ record books. SCI does not include an outside spread measurement, but Douglas Score does, there is also no ‘non-typical’ score for Red Stag (which is rather odd).

Douglas Score

The South Pacific scoring system, used only for free range animals and based heavily on symmetry.

Free Range Red Stag Hunting

If a fair chase, free range red stag hunting is what you’re after, we’ve got some great ones in Europe, South America and New Zealand!

Argentina

Most hunters come for the superb Argentina red stags, but there are many different native and exotic species to hunt here, including: puma (mountain lion); wild boar; wild goats; water buffalo; blackbuck; European mouflon; axis deer; fallow; Texas dall sheep; Scottish blackface ram; multi-horned/four horned ram; white lipped peccary; collared peccary (javelina); capybara; and brown brocket deer.

New Zealand

New Zealand is a beautiful country, and hunting wild red stags is one of the best ways we can think of to experience it. These free range red stag hunts in New Zealand take place on private properties (low fence) throughout the South Island of New Zealand. These working sheep and cattle ranches that you’ll be hunting range in size from 10,000 to 60,000 acres, and are generally open hill country, with some more mountainous country. The main hunting area is 20,000 acres and around four hours drive from Christchurch city. These properties also have good numbers of free ranging chamois, tahr, and some fallow deer, and they can easily be added onto your stag hunt.

Our outfitters limit harvest to ensure quality and high numbers of their wild herds. Many hunts are done from horseback, but that isn’t for you, 4×4 trucks and Polaris ATVs are also available. You will spend a lot of time glassing for a good bull and once one is spotted, a stalk will be planned.

Scotland

Scotland offers some spectacular free range red stag hunting in the Highlands. The stags aren’t as large, but the experience is amazing! Hunting in Scotland is a once in a lifetime experience and we highly recommend it. If you have never heard the roar of the red stag across the highlands then you are missing out on an awesome hunting experience.

Hunting the Red Stag Rut

Breeding season known as the “Roar” is magical time. The roar takes place around September to October depending on weather in the Northern Hemisphere and opposite in the southern hemisphere. Preferred hunting method during the rut is spot-and-stalk and calling. Most stag hunting will be focused around the ‘roar’ or rut. In New Zealand, this takes place from late March through April. Roaring stags can be hunted in a similar way to bugling elk, and calling an aggressive stag in is an awesome experience. As with all species there will be year to year variations with the exact timing of the ‘roar’/rut.

Early season hunting can also be good. Like mule deer and elk, the stags are often found high above treeline, fattening up before the roar. I would wait until February to ensure that the stags are in hard velvet or starting to strip. Some older stags will come into hard antler earlier, but I think it’s best to ensure they are well and truly ready to strip, as summer temperatures can quickly ruin a soft velvet head.

Hunting during the winter is another option as stags are hungry to feed after the roar.

Red Stag Articles and Hunt Reports

Have you been on a hunt with us or one of our outfitters? We’d love to hear how it went. Please fill out a trip report.