Red Stag Hunting

Most hunters immediately think New Zealand when red stags come up, but we have hunts all around the world to hunt them, including Europe where they are native.

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) are a close cousin of the larger American elk or wapiti , Russian maral, and sika stag (Cervus nippon). These amazing game animals, originating in Europe, have been introduced around the world as “exotics” from New Zealand to Texas and Canada. The largest native herds with the best trophy quality are found in Hungary, Germany and Romania, with Scotland being a close fourth for a smaller antler size but the most fantastic stalking experience.

We have partnered with some great outfitters for red stag hunting around the world.

Give us a detailed description of what you are looking for, so our hunting consultants can match you with the right hunt. Whatever suits you, we can help you find it. So if you’re looking for a great hunt, you’ll love working with us.

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Argentina Red Stag Hunting

Argentina

Red Stag Hunts

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Hunt Red Stag in New Zealand

New Zealand

Red Stag Hunts

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Scotland Red Stag Hunt

Scotland

Red Stag Hunts

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Texas Red Stag Hunts

Texas

Red Stag Hunts

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Where do you want to hunt stags?

Every since the time of the Romans, and possibly prior to that, red stags have been the premier big game animal. The largest native herds with the best trophy quality are found in Hungary, Germany and Romania, and Scotland. Introduced stags can be hunted in Argentina, New Zealand, and across North America.

Argentina

Outdoors International client, Vernon Edeler with an absolute monster free range, Argentina red stag.

Every year hunters from all over the world travel to Argentina to hunt the majestic red stag, but don’t overlook the fact that the climate and habitat here is ideal for a great number and diversity of big game animals. In South America, you’ll have an opportunity to see axis deer, blackbuck, hybrid sheep, water buffalo, fallow deer, mouflon sheep, feral goats, multi-horned sheep and the largest rodent in the world, the capybara just to name a few.

Owing to extensive lands with the perfect habitat Argentina is known worldwide as a paradise for big game hunting. One of the most exhilarating big game experiences is red stag hunting in Argentina during the rut…the “Roaring Season!” The high concentrations and plentiful numbers offer a very real opportunity to harvest the trophy of a lifetime.

Learn more about red stag hunting in Argentina

New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its majestic, awe-inspiring scenery, tremendous hospitality, and fantastic hunting. This deer hunt is a great trip for you and your significant other to experience all that New Zealand has to offer. The spine-tingling roar of the rutting red stag is deservedly one of the main draws to New Zealand. Non hunters and kids are welcome as well. This is a great family vacation.

Learn more about red stag hunting in New Zealand

Scotland

A traditional Scotland red stag hunt 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. Perfect for bringing your family!

Learn more about red stag hunting in Scotland

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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.

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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.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Our advice is free. (208) 991-4868

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.

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Our advice is free. (208) 991-4868

Gear List for a Red Stag Hunt

Preferred Rifle Calibers

.243 (100 grain minimum in the UK), 6.5 mm in Central Europe or 270/280 Win, .308 Win, 30-06 Springfield, 7 mm Rem Mag, and .300 Win Mag in North and South American as well as New Zealand.

Archery Hunting for Red Stags

Archery is completely legal in North America, Hungary New Zealand, France and Spain; there are few other countries like Croatia with grey area laws for bow. Any setup for deer or elk would be sufficient for stags.

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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.

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It was a great stag hunt with a top notch outfitter. The food, accommodations and hunting well exceed the expectations I had for this trip. This was the first guided hunt I have ever went on and I was not disappointed. The abundance of game really surprised me and we encountered stags every time in the field.

Vernon Edeler

Hunter

God has blessed me so many times with amazing experiences and success while bowhunting, and this red stag was no exception. To be honest, I often ask him ‘why?’….He has a plan for all of us, we just have to open our hearts and listen. Be true to yourself, and always give him the glory.

Russ Meyer

Owner of Outdoors International

Saw a fair number of red deer before an opportunity arose for a stalk. Unsuccessful on day one as conditions were difficult and the deer are smart. Day two began in same fashion. Animals including stags were spotted by glassing and a plan was formulated for approach. After a lengthy uphill hike a pair of stags was spotted bedded down. The stalker and I then proceeded with the final stalk which largely involved slowly crawling so as not to be detected. We eventually gained a position slightly above them at a distance of about 80 m. The stalker deployed the rifle and I positioned to be able to take the shot. The animals were bedded and it was determined that a neck shot was most viable. The red stag needed to stand to present that shot. after maintaining position for approx. 45 m the second stag arose and began moving about. Stalker whispered that if he got close enough to the target stag that animal would get up. That happened and he did. Stalker whispered “neck”, I fired and the stag immediately dropped. Successful stalk .

Robert Dura

Hunter

Red Stag Hunting

A red stag is high on most hunter's wish lists, and we have good hunts around the world.

Red Stag Hunting

Most hunters immediately think New Zealand when red stags come up, but we have hunts all around the world to hunt them, including Europe where they are native.

We have partnered with some great outfitters for red stag hunting around the world.

Argentina Red Stag Hunting

Argentina

Hunt Red Stag in New Zealand

New Zealand

Scotland Red Stag Hunt

Scotland

Texas Red Stag Hunts

Texas

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Where do you want to hunt stags?

Argentina

New Zealand

Scotland

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Trophy Expectations

Scoring Red Stags

SCI Score

Douglas Score

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Free Range Red Stag Hunting

Argentina

New Zealand

Scotland

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Hunting the Red Stag Rut

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Gear List for a Red Stag Hunt

Preferred Rifle Calibers

Archery Hunting for Red Stags

Articles and Hunt Reports

Have questions about one of our trips?

Vernon Edeler

Russ Meyer

Robert Dura